The bus

I have no idea if my bus experiences are particular to Italy, because I have taken the bus only twice in America. Regardless, almost every bus trip has a new experience. There are some huge buses, which are more like a combination of two buses. But then there are some tiny buses. I went on one bus that had only 12 seats... the car I drove to high school had more than that! (Yes, I understand this is unusual.) But it was such a tiny bus by any standard. And it was old. As we drove along the cobbles streets, I thought the bus would fall apart it was shaking so much.

And then there are the times when no matter what size the bus is, there are too many people. I'm not one to insist on personal space- growing up with so many siblings, that was often a luxury we could not afford. BUT, when there is the possibility of giving a stranger their personal space, it seems like a good idea. The other day I was in a very full bus. I was standing next to a man who was standing next to the door. When the door opened, he had to move in a little closer to me, understandable. But when the doors closed, he didn't move back away from me. Ummm, hello. (No way to be sure, but I don't think he was a creep, I think it just didn't occur to move back.) The thing is, I didn't want to move to another spot because I was leaning against the back of the bus and it was so warm from the motor. :) In the end, I decided to be cold rather than have a stranger leaning up against me for no reason- I moved to a different part of the bus!

I don't mean to complain. It's true that these experiences are new and sometimes uncomfortable, but I love taking the bus.  It gives you time to think, or read, or eavesdrop on Italian conversations. Although it might seem strange, I really love taking the bus.