When we were last together, I had made the decision to start my “Walk About.” I had my yard sale and I chose my mode of transportation. Now, what to do? There was no backing out now! I had bought my ticket and arrangements with my niece. I was on my way to that guy named Kevin!
I had been to the bus stop a few days before to get a tag to bring an extra suitcase along. A girl can never be too prepared. The bus left at 1230 a.m. My husband and daughter took me to the bus stop. It was nothing more than a gas station sitting off the highway and a stone’s throw from a strip mall. It had two buses departing a day both at 12:30, one a.m. and one p,m. I picked the a.m. because it was 90 minutes shorter.
The bus arrives at the gas station at 12:25. Here I stood with two 70’s style Samsonite suitcases, one yellow one royal blue. I had a pillow, backpack and a duffel bag, which housed a cherished blanket my sister made me, mandatory for all situations. Beside the bus is their suitcases rearing and ready for loading. I watched them get loaded, always make sure your suitcases get loaded, always! I got my backpack on, my pillow under my arm and my duffel bag in my hand, kissed and hugged my husband and daughter and climbed up the steps.
There I stood staring down a long aisle way with a bus FULL of people. I gave a goofy smile at the driver and she returned my smile with a, “Take a seat!” I found the closest seat, shoved my bag under the seat in front of me, pillow and backpack on my lap. It was then I realized this was real, I was doing it. I was actually on this bus going halfway across the country all by myself. No children, no husband, no family no nothing but me my bag and I.
I waved out the window the best I could, scared, excited, and knowing my adventure had begun at 12:30 a.m. on the dot!
That first leg of the journey was quick. The driver drove with haste and we arrived at the first stop in one hour. I thought to myself, “Wow! This is going to be a piece of cake.” It was the first of several bus changes. This one was also a gas station, truck stop facility, more remote than the one I had departed from.
The bus was late, not a little late it was almost two hours late. So there I sat on a parking stump, two o’clock in the morning waiting. I could see my 70’s suitcases on a dolly. I made sure I knew where they were for the upcoming bus. When it did arrive I officially met a real live hateful, nazi wanna-be, bus driver. She hopped her overloaded, overworked, overly loud body off that bus and started barking orders like she was drill Sargent in the military. One lady was waiting with her child, a small child about three years old, she even yelled at them. She was having a bad day, nope she was having a bad life.
I made sure that my 70’s suitcases were loaded before I got on the bus, always make sure your suitcases are loaded. I thought this bus would be less crowded, but I thought wrong it was full of sleeping people. The only seat available was the very last seat in the back of the bus. I didn’t think that would be so bad, everyone loved the back of the bus right?
NOPE!
Hint #2 – Never sit in the very back seat on a bus traveling long distances.
Remember Hint #1 – Yes, that’s right! ALWAYS make sure your suitcase is on the same bus you are on.
Stay tuned my friends I almost didn’t make it to the next bus change!
OMG! I felt like I was on that stinky bus with you!! Can’t wait for the next installment! Great job, Clara!