During my second week of working in this city, I decided to venture out and attempt the system. First thing I do, walk to LaSalle and jump on the Blue Line. Things are going well. Later in the day, I take the Blue to the Red...Sounds complicated, but things are going good. I am, however, strangly aware of how I look sitting on the train; I look like the girl who is new to the city, brave face plastered on, attempting to look indiffernt to everybody, secretly looking for danger in every place...After a whirlwind afternoon of running around the city like the young professional I am, I decide to complete the final challenge in my Public Transport Pentathalon: The City Bus.
Let me preface this by saying that I am, after 14 days, very aware that the 22 bus stops right outisde of my apartment building. What does this say to you? Because to me, this say, "Take the 22 Bus!" which is exactly what I did! I walked until I saw the sign that said, "22" and I stood there, again attempting to look as though I knew exactly what would happen next. And low and behold, up pulled the 22 Bus, and I climbed on. Now, I haven't been in the city very long, so I am not at all sure what I should be looking for on this adventure, but I see things that look right. Big buildings that is. I see big buildings. And then I start getting currious. While I see street names that are right by my building (!), I see nothing that looks familiar to me (??). Then, I see Lincoln Park. Hmm. I live in the South Loop. That's about three miles from Lincoln Park. (?????!!!!!)
I do, at this point, what I think any twenty-something-engaged-about to be married-young professional woman would have done. I call my mom. And I say, "Well, I might be on the wrong bus. But they run in a loop, so eventually I will get back to where I started right?" And together we agree that that is probably right. Until I hang up. And the very nice guy in front of me asks me where I am trying to get. I am totally caught off guard by this, and I stumble trying to tell him where I live, which is mortifying. Suddenly Nice Guy 1 and Nice Guy 2 start yelling at the bus driver. There is a flurry of activity during which I figure out that I am not headed downtown. I am not headed towards the South Loop. Nothing looked familiar because nothing is familiar! I am headed to Evanston. Eric's been there (it's about 30 miles out of the city) and said it is lovely. I'm sure I'd love to visit. What I am not sure I want to do is take a bus there when I am supposed to be in my office!
You may be asking what I did at this point, and I will tell you. I jumped off the bus as quickly as I could, and I ran in the direction they were all pointing and telling me to go. I have no idea why I ran, especially given the three inch Steve Madden's I was wearing. But I did, for about a block. Then I did what I should have done in the first place. I called my office, and I asked somebody to give me directions back to work!
What did I learn? What lessons do I have for those of you moving to the city? Or even just visiting the city? Here is what I learned ::
- The bus numbers are important, yes. But what is more important is knowing that you have to catch them on the correct side of the road. My mistake was catching the 22 Bus headed away from my building. If I had stood on the other side of the road, I would have caught the 22 Bus headed towards my building.
- Always look at directions before you go anywhere. Google has a great system that allows you to get directions walking, driving, or by public transport. Use this.
- If you are only interested in public transportation, and you are nto going to walk, then better than Google is www.hopstop.com. Really. Check this website out. It will change your urban life!
- When you live in Chicago, you should never have less than $15 cash in your wallet. If you follow this last piece of advice you will never have to be lost. As soon as you sense a problem, grab a cab and have the driver deliver you immediatly to your destination!
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