luxury

for a ride back to the city, i decide take an AC Transit bus across the bay bridge. i heard this is a good way to get to the city because the busses are rarely crowded, and the view riding high on the bus is worth it. i have seen the dark green buses lined up at the transbay terminal, shiny and new like some rock and roll tour buses. the windows are sealed, suggesting air conditioned luxury and i've seen rows of plush high backed forward facing seats.

i spent my day imagining the luxury, the view, the relaxtion while cruising across the bay in mass transit opulence.

you saw this coming, i know. if i had read the website above a little closer i could have avoided this. right now, i am sitting on a bench, facing perpendicular to the roadway. it's hot and smelly on this bus. it's the kind of general route bus i am used to seeing growling up the hills of SF, except this one has a blue trim instead of an orange trim. every time the bus gets moving, the engine roars and the wind whistles through the slat windows like a tea kettle boiling over. my fellow commuters, in this case a busload of teenagers, raise their voices to combat the racket.

i am uncomfortable. i am couched in hard plastic, vinyl, and stainless steel. This bus was built to be hosed out at the end of the day, not for glorious day trips through the bay area. the ride is rough, and i slide forward every time the driver gooses the brake pedal with his discount brand white high tops. it is nice though, and the view from up above is something new, even though i've been across the bridge hundreds of times.