Ever since I first visited New York with my wonderful friend Laura, I quickly learned the simplicity and efficiency of the subway train. It's cheap, it shows up every 5 minutes or so, and more often than not, gets you quite close to where you need to be. So when I moved to Chicago I had no hesitation about using the trains. I did have one incident where I "lost" the red line. I got off at one stop to switch trains, followed the signs to the red line, and could not find the entrance. I soon realized that in the Loop, the red line is a subway train--which means it runs underground. All the other trains are "el" (or elevated) trains. I now know when looking for the red line in the Loop, look for an entrance on the sidewalk.
Anyway, the one mode of transportation that totally freaks me out are the buses. There are about a kagillion different routes, they all have numbers, and I have no idea what takes you where. None. So when I decided to go to the Field Museum last week, I decided to also brave the bus. I spent quite a bit of time researching which line to take, where it would pick me up, and where it would drop me off. I even made sure I knew the return route. I was feeling quite proud of myself.
The bus stop ended up being right across State Street from my apartment. How convenient! And when I got there, the bus was already there picking other people up. Another good sign! I was feeling like I had mastered the bus! All of a sudden I realized that the bus would say the names of the stops it was apporaching, then just drive right on by them. I started to freak out a bit. How do I get off this thing? Where am I going to end up? Do I just tell the bus driver, "Hey, I need off!" and risk scaring the poor woman half to death? What do I do????
The bus soon pulled in to Museum Campus--the home of the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, the planitarium, and Soldier Field. The automated voice came on, "Now approaching Soldier Field and the Field Museum". That was me...this was my cue. I totally froze--and we passed my stop. Luckily, a group of people all wanted off at the Shedd Aquarium. The lights about the driver flashed the words, "Stop Requested". Well how do you request a stop? Do you tell the driver when you get on the bus where you need off at? I just followed the group of people off the bus, then backtracked to the Field Museum.
When it was time to make my way to the bus stop to head home, I texted my roommate Nina. She is the opposite of me. She thinks the bus is easy, but the trains freak her out. So I said, "Dumb bus question. How do you get the bus to stop at your stop?" She very kindly texted back and informed me that I just needed to pull the cord above me when my stop was coming up. Cord? What cord? I'm pretty sure I didn't see a cord.
Lo and behold, when I got on the bus, right above the windows, there was a cord. I felt like an idiot. I was beginning to feel that old confidence creep back in. I can do this! No problem! Then my lack of direction sank in. I watched as several people got off at the Roosevelt stop. I knew this was several blocks from my apartment so I sat still. Then the next stop called out was for 11th Street. I live at 8th Street. Did I miss the stop? Does the bus take a different route on the way back? Am I just going to keep getting further and further from home???? So I pulled the cord for 11th Street. When I got off, I saw my apartment building---3 blocks further up. I also saw the bus make a stop right outside of my front door. Awesome. At least I learned my lesson---even though I doubt I'll be riding the bus again anytime in the near future.
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