Vomit

Riding the 71L home one day. I was excited that I actually caught the bus because it shaves off a few minutes of my commute home. Of course once I get on the bus I regret getting on because it reeks of vomit. I go to the back thinking maybe the vomit is the in the front, nope the odor only worsens. The woman in front of me thinks about sitting in the back row where there’s 2 empty seats, but by the look on her face we have now found the vomit itself. Needless to say walked back to the front of the bus and hoped the driver would go fast.

Flatulence

Dear Sir,

No it is not okay to pass gas on the bus.

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Passengers

Elbowed again

The other day S and I were en route to Japantown. I needed some mochiko flour to make butter mochi. Our route was not predetermined. The 19 came and voilà 19 to 38 it is. The 19 is ALWAYS an interesting bus. The key on this bus is to look like you have nothing to lose. No flashy rings keep the phone hidden and the wallet at the bottom of the bag. Anyways we get on without a hitch even snag two seats at the front. This must have been the most tame 19 ride I have ever taken, but do not fear the 38 we connected with was much more exciting. The 38 at rush hour is guaranteed to be packed. Sure enough the bus was not articulated and it was packed. We squeezed in through the back door where the last guy behind us prevented the doors from closing because he kept touching the metal bars that open the doors. We squeezed in some more so the guy could stop and off we went. It’s cold/flu season here. I got sneezed on twice and then when a guy went to adjust his bag his elbow went right to by chin. Ouch! I’m not sure why people’s elbows like me so much. He was very apologetic though so no harm. He looked really concerned and kept askig if I was okay. Yeah for considerate people.

Maybe I should invest in some hockey gear?

Elbows

I took the 5 Fulton to a friend’s house last night and it was absolutely packed. I shoved my way towards the middle of the bus, but I still felt like sardines in a can. The bus was getting pretty warm and the guy standing next to me decided to take off his jacket. He was trying to hold on while taking off his jacket in a hurry. As he was taking it off, his elbow punched me (in the arm) but no apology no acknowledgement that he had hit me. I gave him an evil look but he was too busy avoiding eye contact.

On the plus side, he was visibly uncomfortable in the bus. Lots of sweat dripping down etc. Next time I’m donning some hockey padding before I ride MUNI again.

Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

I have definitely been guilty of not giving up my seat for an elderly person. Never on purpose but sometimes I get engrossed in a book and don’t notice that an elderly person has boarded the bus. What I don’t get is when I look around there are obviously able bodied people purposely not getting up for the elderly person. It makes me so sad that these people don’t have the common courtesy to get out of their seat.

Rain

The first rain always produces some interesting smells on MUNI.  Think months and months of dried up grime and dirt on the bus then water from people’s jackets, umbrellas, and shoes mixing with this crusty nastiness.  Then there are certain MUNI patrons who may or may not have done laundry in the last 3 months and their clothes are now wet too adding to the lovely scent of the bus.  Don’t get me wrong, the rain is great for the area, we’re in one of the worst drought years, but still this phenomenon always manages to catch me off guard.  Enter bus and whoosh there’s that lovely Eau de MUNI.

Breakfast sandwich mugging

This morning after my appointment, I stopped by the Burger King on Powell St. to grab breakfast.  I was starving, and I didn’t want to think too hard about what to get.  I ordered my breakfast croissanwich with sausage, picked it up, and I went on my merry way.  I started eating my lukewarm sandwich while walking down Powell to catch the bus to get to work.  Out of the corner of my eye, this homeless guy starts following me, and I notice he’s trying to grab my sandwich!  I stepped out of the way and continued walking, while he started screaming something at me.  

What is the world coming to when a girl can’t eat her breakfast sandwich in peace!  Maybe it’s time to move to the suburbs.

Cold season

Well it’s upon us again, seems like everyone is sick.  I hate when there’s tons of seats on the bus, I manage to always sit next to the person with the cold.  They seem fine when I sit down, but then the hacking starts.  I never know if I should move seats or just stay put.  With my luck, I’d end up next to someone who is even more violently ill.

Hacking

On the bus this morning which I just barely caught because I was having one of my lazy mornings and eating breakfast at home and watching the morning news. Lots of seats on the bus though it’s a 7 and they are usually elongated and not so full I assume due to the short route. I love it when I catch a 7. Anyways cold season must be on us because some is really coughing up a lung and sounding like they’re going to cough up some nasty stuff soon. Ick. Like a freaking hospital ward. It’s happening at work too people being out and others wondering if they ate getting sick. Vitamin C overdose time.

MUNI Adventure Rating: 8 (for fear of catching something)

Cheetos

The other morning I almost sat on a cheeto. Luckily, I saw it at the last minute and went to a different seat, but at the next stop a guy came on and went to sit in the cheeto seat. I put my arm out to block him from sitting in it, but he was too heavy and intent on sitting. He gave me a very confused look then I explained the seat was dirty. He looked at it, wiped off the cheeto and cracked some joke. No thank you whatsoever to my minor but slightly heroic act. How sad.

MUNI Adventure Rating: 3