The Wheels on the Bus Go Round

So for the last couple of days, I have had to ride the city buses after work. It has been very tough for me to come to terms with this, because I have been very spoiled. We only have one car, and I take it to work everyday. Ashton, being the good sport that he is, takes the bus and has since we moved here. Therefore, there is no sympathy comming from him. For the last couple of days, Ashton has worked at 2 different BSU campuses tutoring during summer school. So he thought he needed the car ;). He got out the bus schedule, mapped out my route, prepped me for this for about a week and repeatedly told me, "it will be just fine. It is just a bus." Easy for him to say! So finely the day came. I had to take the bus out to BSU West campus to meet him. Most of that morning's conversation went something like this:

Me: So I have to take the bus today?

Ashton: Yup.

Me: Today really is the day?

Ashton: Yup.

Me: Which one do I catch?

Ashton: The only one that goes by your work, the 51.

Me: Oh.

Pause

Me: So there is only one that comes by my work? I won't get on the wrong bus?

Ashton: Nope.

Me: Okay.

Pause

Me: What about the transfer. I have to walk a block to the next bus stop right? What if I get on the wrong bus again?

Ashton: You won't. It's the only one at that time.
Me: Oh.

Pause

Me: So I won't get on the wrong bus?

Ashton: Shouldn't.

Me: Oh.

I think that conversation lasted about 2 hours. I was terrified!

So finally it was the end of the day. I got on the bus, showed them my badge (St. Luke's employees get a free bus ride) and then sat down. First thing the driver says, "I don't think that badge works on this bus, just the one headed to Boise," (I work in Nampa). I was panicked! I didn't have any cash! I replied, "I was told that this should work on all the buses." Driver, "You were told?" Me, "Yup" Driver, "Okay, works for me". First panic over. Driver,"So where'er you headed?" Me, "BSU West" Driver " OH! You're on the wrong bus!" Second panic. "Uh, I think I have to transfer to the one that takes me there." Driver, "Oh, guess that works" Second panic over.

Then the transfer. Driver "head on over to that Wells Fargo bank. It is a closer bus stop then the one you're supposed to be at. The same bus will pick you up". Me thinking "I'm going to get on the wrong bus, this isn't what Ashton told me to do..." but saying "Oh, thanks! I'll head on over there". So I did. I went to the Wells Fargo like the driver told me. My transfer bus was about 15 minutes late, so I was worried I had missed it and would be catching the wrong bus. When he finally got there, I walked on the bus, and as soon as I sat down, he said "there you are! You weren't where she said she dropped you off at! Glad I found ya! She told me I was picking up a blonde St.Luke's girl and here you are." He was looking for me! How wonderful somebody was, because I was sure this was the wrong bus and I had really messed up.

So needless to say, after a few brief panics, I actually survived the Valley Ride bus system and ended up where I needed to be. It just took twice as long as normal and gave me quite the headache, but I lived, and learned to appreciate what Ashton's done for the last year on a whole new level. Thanks Ash!