My first bus ride

So, while everyone may not know it, we do not have a car out here. It's been interesting getting used to that, but so far I like it. First of all, insurance prices are ludicrous (I saw first hand as to why. Let's just say that there is the potential for a lot of broken mirrors and scraped paint) and second, there is no place to park. That being said, we either walk, bike or take public transportation. After biking only 7 miles one way to Target the other weekend in 95 degree heat, I wanted check out the bus.
Yesterday, Kristin started orientation, and I, having no work yet, decided to leave my groove in the couch and get some things at Target. One thing would be different this trip: I would take the bus.
The are a lot of buses that travel throughout the Baltimore metro, so it's not like you just walk to the corner and catch the one that says "to Target" on the front. After lots of research on the MTA website, I thought it reasonable to take the #3. So, I put my backpack on, grabbed $3.50 (full day pass) and walked until I found a bus stop. The signs are bright blue and you can't miss them. The one I found also had a #3 on it and, using the skills that I learned in school, cleverly deduced that this would be where my bus stopped. Well, after lots of waiting and crooked looks from the construction workers, I went up a few blocks to the next one. More waiting, no bus; what's the deal? I it stops and one spot at 10:50 and the next at 11:03, it should pass by here. To the next stop. Finally, it came.
I hopped on, asked the driver how much for the day pass, he barked "$3.50!" and then stomped on the gas like there was the biggest cochroach in the world sitting on it. Luckily, my ninja-like relfexes were prepared for such a take-off, and I wasn't sent flying for the foul pole, I mean, back of the bus. There were almost no seats open, so I had to sit right between two people.
Riding on that bus was a very good experience for a suburban white boy like me. There were only about 4 other white people on the bus, and all of them were old. Apparently, most white people are either to scared or, more likely, too proud to take the bus (although you would think that there was exactly one-third black, one-third white and one-third asian people riding if you saw the MTA commercials). I just think life would be easier if people didn't insist on driving everywhere...anyway.
I got to Target, picked up my stuff, and got back all in one piece-a much cooler, much less sweaty piece than if I had biked again. Now I just need to figure out the other 40 or so local lines!