You know, there are sometimes that a person finds themselves doubting the decisions that they make in life because those choices are not really popular with the masses. However, there are also times that those decisions are reaffirmed in that, while they are not widely accepted, something happens to vindicate them. I experienced this over the last couple of days.
There are many people that I know, who often tell me that I should buy a car because it would make life much easier and I could have more freedom to come and go as I please. There are times when I find myself bending slightly to this pressure and actually start considering this notion and it is upsetting because I feel like I am bending to pressure because I'd like to be more accepted by my peers. Many of them just don't get how I can be a slave to schedules and why I wouldn't want to be more independent. To tell the truth, it doesn't feel that great to be judged by my decision to be more responsible to the environment by walking and taking public transit because I believe that it is important for every one to do their best to contribute to saving this planet. I just don't get why more people aren't more concerned about it and willing to "sacrifice" just a little by getting out of their cars once in a while. But, I digress.
Recently, I rented a car to transport some guests around feeling that it would be much more convenient. But, after driving around forever trying to find parking in some of the places we went to, the high price of petrol (and the rental) and the aggravation of dealing with the assholes out there that don't follow rules and do not know how to drive, I felt quite the opposite. For all of it's "convenience", it wasn't really that convenient at all...
And this past weekend, I had an interesting incident happen that unfolded into something that felt like a vindication of sorts. I went to Richmond to send some people off at the airport there and afterwards thought I would do some shopping and then catch the ferry back to Vancouver Island. I spent most of the time travelling by public transport and must say that after what I heard when I returned home, I realized that my decision was the best one. Too bad more people didn't do the same...
Sure, the schedule on a Sunday was pretty inconvenient. Buses only came every hour and it was a blistering hot day. However, armed with a water bottle, and eventually way too many packages, I managed to get around pretty well. I even missed a bus to the ferry which was irritating but one can always find people to converse with to pass the time. Anyway, while I was sitting at a bus stop, I saw what looked like someone I knew from here which I later found out was actually this person from my hometown. I was surprised to see them driving by and actually at one point thought it might have been nice to have a car that day. However, when I found out that while they had the convenience of a car, they had to wait 4 1/2 hours to get the ferry back because one boat had broken down, causing a huge backlog of cars waiting to get back.
I, on the other hand, managed to miss one or two buses, and still managed to get on the ferry at 7 pm with no wait. I walked off the bus - with too many packages - and walked the long walk to the ferry and got right on. No wait. (Oh, except for the 20 minute delay in the ferry departure.) This person arrived at the terminal at 5:30 pm and finally got on the 10 pm ferry. (It's rather ironic, really, as this person is also someone who thinks I should own a car.) While I don't wish misery on anyone, it seems that we get back what we put into things...
So, I ask you, is my decision to ride the "loser cruiser" (as many people who don't ride it refer to the bus) an inconvenience? From what I experienced, it appears not. I think that I am not only more relaxed, I have also learned some valuable skills from riding transit. One of those is patience, another is how to schedule my time properly and finally, it allows for some sort of order in life. It's nice to be able to read while the bus is moving or sleep or just enjoy the scenery. Which is another point...
Riding public transit allows for a leisurely look at the beauty of this place that I am trying to contribute to saving by making the decision not to own a car.
(Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!)
There are many people that I know, who often tell me that I should buy a car because it would make life much easier and I could have more freedom to come and go as I please. There are times when I find myself bending slightly to this pressure and actually start considering this notion and it is upsetting because I feel like I am bending to pressure because I'd like to be more accepted by my peers. Many of them just don't get how I can be a slave to schedules and why I wouldn't want to be more independent. To tell the truth, it doesn't feel that great to be judged by my decision to be more responsible to the environment by walking and taking public transit because I believe that it is important for every one to do their best to contribute to saving this planet. I just don't get why more people aren't more concerned about it and willing to "sacrifice" just a little by getting out of their cars once in a while. But, I digress.
Recently, I rented a car to transport some guests around feeling that it would be much more convenient. But, after driving around forever trying to find parking in some of the places we went to, the high price of petrol (and the rental) and the aggravation of dealing with the assholes out there that don't follow rules and do not know how to drive, I felt quite the opposite. For all of it's "convenience", it wasn't really that convenient at all...
And this past weekend, I had an interesting incident happen that unfolded into something that felt like a vindication of sorts. I went to Richmond to send some people off at the airport there and afterwards thought I would do some shopping and then catch the ferry back to Vancouver Island. I spent most of the time travelling by public transport and must say that after what I heard when I returned home, I realized that my decision was the best one. Too bad more people didn't do the same...
Sure, the schedule on a Sunday was pretty inconvenient. Buses only came every hour and it was a blistering hot day. However, armed with a water bottle, and eventually way too many packages, I managed to get around pretty well. I even missed a bus to the ferry which was irritating but one can always find people to converse with to pass the time. Anyway, while I was sitting at a bus stop, I saw what looked like someone I knew from here which I later found out was actually this person from my hometown. I was surprised to see them driving by and actually at one point thought it might have been nice to have a car that day. However, when I found out that while they had the convenience of a car, they had to wait 4 1/2 hours to get the ferry back because one boat had broken down, causing a huge backlog of cars waiting to get back.
I, on the other hand, managed to miss one or two buses, and still managed to get on the ferry at 7 pm with no wait. I walked off the bus - with too many packages - and walked the long walk to the ferry and got right on. No wait. (Oh, except for the 20 minute delay in the ferry departure.) This person arrived at the terminal at 5:30 pm and finally got on the 10 pm ferry. (It's rather ironic, really, as this person is also someone who thinks I should own a car.) While I don't wish misery on anyone, it seems that we get back what we put into things...
So, I ask you, is my decision to ride the "loser cruiser" (as many people who don't ride it refer to the bus) an inconvenience? From what I experienced, it appears not. I think that I am not only more relaxed, I have also learned some valuable skills from riding transit. One of those is patience, another is how to schedule my time properly and finally, it allows for some sort of order in life. It's nice to be able to read while the bus is moving or sleep or just enjoy the scenery. Which is another point...
Riding public transit allows for a leisurely look at the beauty of this place that I am trying to contribute to saving by making the decision not to own a car.
(Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!)
2 Comments:
Oh I simply love it Lola! I know you are doing absolutely the right thing - cuz most of all, that's what your heart's been telling you. I think for the peeps who's been commenting on you getting your own car are just envious about what you're doing deep down, they're mostly saying it simply because they just can't do the things that you do!!!
I wished that I could walk to work, but given a 53-mile one way trip, it would take me about 2 full days to get there - if ever. gaaaaah. I think given the right attitude, walking to and fro can be such a pleasure. I'm so glad that someone is doing it! Yay Lola!
Off topic. I watched some world news bits last night and I heard that the ozone layer is currently 'healing'... and by 2070, thanks to the elimination of CFC, the 'hole' should be completely sealed up by then. Good to know. BUT in place of CFC, people are making the same products using other means, and that in turn is contributing to the global climate change, etc. egads.
Anyway, the point is, united global effort does work... and I believe that you're doing so much more than a lot of people that I know of. Kudo Lola!!!!
*Whew! I think I've talked plenty!* Anyway, stick to your plan. Happy Wednesday Lola!!
I would never admit this because I loath and detest the public transportation system in Iceland, but in truth I like buses. It's a relatively stress free way of getting around and sometimes even good for a story or two. If only they would fix the bus system here I would be in heaven. Not having a car is also very good when you have 5 younger siblings who are always on the go and constantly needing rides :)
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