Get off the bus
Today, I got off two or three bus stops before my destination because I wanted to walk part of the way. And I was rewarded for it! As I got off the bus- which is right next to Victoria Park 
downtown, I heard what sounded like a bunch of out of tune bagpipers. I started walking towards them, and sure enough, it was a bagpipe band tuning up and practicing. The sound echoed through the park, and I seemed to be the only one lucky enough to enjoy the music. Drummers twirled their sticks in the air, and everyone was dressed normally. It was quite odd, but fascinating and spine tingling to listen too.
Then later, I was eating lunch at St Kevin’s Arcade on K-road
(a small outdoor shopping ‘mall’) and I saw a young guy- maybe in his early 20’s- walking with his girlfriend (I assumed) who was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Normally you don’t look twice, but I immediately noticed that his two legs were artificial, and that both his hands were missing. I was just amazed thinking that not too long ago, that boy would have never been able to walk at all. And here he was, without a thought, shopping with his girlfriend.
Aside from these two instances, there have been numerous occasions where I’ve seen or heard things happen, or just had the opportunity to ‘people’ watch because I’m on a bus or taking the time to walk places and pay attention. The bus is like the epicenter of social interaction. I think it’s much more personal than, for example, the metro or the T. On a bus, you’ve got to somehow interact with those around you. And you get drawn in. Especially with teenagers. Three girls were sitting in front of me today, and they just had this aura of excitement, innocence, and yet that awful teenage tendency to mock, and whisper to each other and giggle. It was fascinating to watch because I remember feeling those things, wanting to be heard and noticed, yet at the same time, feeling needy and vulnerable. I have to say I’m glad I don’t feel that way anymore.
Oh and one more story aside, which of course, also happened on the bus! Two teenage boys got on my bus yesterday, and I could have easily mistaken them as kids from New Zealand. One white, one Asian. Then I heard that familiar accent I know so well. German. As many of you know, or may not know, there are a ton a Germans here in New Zealand- traveling, living, generally meshing well with Kiwis. Anyway, as I was listening to them, I noticed that when they switched to English, both of them had a strong German accent. And that’s what really threw me. The Asian boy spoke with English with a German accent. I was so surprised and yet it made me so happy to think that we live in a time where language is no longer bound to race, or religion or the color of your skin. It makes me excited to see what the next generations will sound like, and look like. Unfortunately, in the States, it’s been happening for generations already, but it seems people just can’t hold themselves back from making mass generalizations about a culture and its people. Anyway, that’s a story for another blog probably! For now, I’m just grateful I get to watch and listen and absorb all of these experiences and wonder at the world we live in.
