Sunday, January 6, 2008

Quote of the day and icicles

"Random kisses are of the utmost importance."

That's right, folks, I'm back-- and sappy.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder and all that jazz :).

***

I have completed which is hopefully my last Greyhound trip *ever*.

(Knock on wood.)

As we were unloading my suitcases stuffed with butter tarts in every possible gap, I commented to my father that the number of people waiting nearly guaranteed that I would have to share a seat with someone, meaning a serious lack of slumber. He told me to be optimistic. I told him that after three canceled flights and a stolen credit card over the holidays, I had officially given up on optimism.

Ironically enough, the trip started reasonably well.

The bus was busy, given the epic failure of any flights to depart for days, but with a more eclectic and safe feeling crowd than the usual night bus crew.

Plus, one of my close friends, whose ride had, unbeknownst to me, fallen through, happened to saunter onto the bus at the stop after I hopped on, providing me with a fabulous traveling companion.

As I stared out the window into the darkness, headphones on, nearing the halfway point, I thought "Maybe this won't be as horrible as I predicted after all".

But, alas, I spoke to soon.

Not only were we painfully behind schedule due to the slush squelching beneath the bus wheels, but, soon after that little bout of optimism, we were stopped by the police in the middle of the highway, and told we would have to wait for a sand truck to arrive, because the roads were an ice rink of sorts.

And there we waited for an hour.

We arrived at the transfer point more than two hours behind schedule. When a bus finally arrived (as we'd long ago missed the connecting bus), we marched on in a daze, only to receive the announcement that there was still no driver on the premises. Delirious, given it was past 1 am, I started laughing hysterically at this point.

We arrived. Eventually. With a fitful sleep in between that led to me actually having bruised knees due to ill-placed arm rests.

And, a very thankful girl, I crawled into my own bed at 8am, and curled up against the warm body who had been waiting for me for nearly two days (or several weeks, depending which way you look at it).

***

The unhappy ending to this story is that, because of this unforeseen delay, I have been forced to compact all my errands, unpacking, preparation, and, yes, romance, into a much shorter time than planned. Grad student life waits for no one, apparently.

So I leave you all with a few more shots of my trip, namely the phenomenal icicle decorating my parents' house, and promises that I will have less mundane tales and be around to visit soon.






39 comments:

PG said...

Welcome back. At least it's over with. Seems like everyone is having travel problems. Global warming is making weather plans and, therefore, travelling a trying task.

One thing about coming home is that at least it's nice to return to your own life. So that you don't take for granted your own bed or your own day-to-day life.

Last time I took the bus, our bus died on the highway and another Greyhound came out to take over but could find us (on the one possible highway we would be travelling on). 2 hours later, we finally switched over.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back, Princess! I missed you! And I'm glad you made it back safe and sound. I can't wait to play catch up. :)

Jess | the Jess Journals said...

Welcome back! :) Those icicles are crazy...! (It doesn't get that cold in Hong Kong like, ever. haha)

Anonymous said...

Hey. Super glad you're back. I'm happy that even though the trip wasn't perfect, coming back to what was waiting for you was. :-)
Sap looks good on you, girl. (Maybe I'm biased, being that I *am* a hopeless romantic)

Anonymous said...

A mundane tale perhaps but wryly told. Despite the chaos a resigned grin and shrug of the shoulders emerges. The prose is balanced and clean, reads almost like a Thurber with a softer edge like a character portrait from the insideout. hello,

Ant said...

"Compacted romance". There are worse things I suppose... :-)

eric1313 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
eric1313 said...

That is an amazing icicle! Like a good yarn often told, it picks up, trails off to a lull, and reforms at many well placed stops along its way to a finely honed point. A lot like your writing, to be sure.

And I hope you still found time for romance to balance it all out.

Knock on wood.

Who typed that?
=D

Anonymous said...

I'm just glad you're home :)

Ultra Toast Mosha God said...

This is why I will be eschewing public transport on my travels. I will have my own car, and it will be good.

I hope.

~touches wood~

nicole antoinette said...

You know, I've never been on a Greyhound bus... I'm glad you're back though, and that it was only *slightly* dramatic :)

Ooo, and those pictures? lovely.

Anonymous said...

Glad that you're back! I am sorry it wa such a nightmare coming home - I am glad you finaly made it all the way safe and sound - your pictures are beautiful!

Jamie Lovely said...

Glad your back! Sorry the trip home was awful. Hopefully you never have to Greyhound it again!

Miriam D said...

You have no idea how much I hate Greyhound! Welcome back!

Ashley said...

Welcome back!! Wow, what a crazy adventure. I think I would have had the same reaction to the no driver. Laughing hysterically--my way of coping with things when delusional haha. I can't say i've ever been on a bus trip though, for longer than half an hour that is. I've done the train enough times to know that I'd hate it though.

Glad you made it home safely! xoxo!

longredcape said...

I bet you're glad to be back! I'm sorry your trip was so unpleasant, but at least it's over now!

PrincessPolly said...

Doesn't sound like you had the best time of it - I don't envy you that journey at all! At least you are back now though, that's the important thing! :)

Lisa said...

Glad you're home safe now. Sorry about the major suckage, but I love that your friend happened to be on the same bus. And those photos are awesome. I wish icicles would form here.

Yoda said...

Its awesome that you're back, I was beginning to miss your blog posts!

If I found out at 1 AM that there was no driver for my bus, there'd be some serious cursing. Not good.

Better late than never, eh? At least you got home safe and sound.

Abbey said...

I've never actually seen real-life icicles before. Cool. Especially sitting here in 70 degree weather. :)

cdp said...

Welcome back! I'm waiting on someone to come home as well. And absence makes me DAMN CRANKY!

Therapeutic Ramblings said...

Welcome back!

I just got in last night, so nice to be home.

Beth said...

Glad you made it back safely - despite all the travel traumas.
Those icicles are (possibly) quite the deadly weapons!

The Author Of This said...

And a warm welcome back!

Sheila said...

Yay, you're finally home! You need some serious happy/party time to squelch the stupid airline/stupid bus/stupid snow and ice dreariness that has followed you!

Airam said...

I've never travelled on a grey hound but will soon within the month when I go to Montreal for the weekend. I wonder what stories I'll have to tell then ... I bet the random kisses make up for the shittiness that happened on your trip home.

brandy said...

I'm glad you survived that trip! I find that there's nothing more frustrating than waiting for ice to be melted or sanded before continuing on. Especially when you are waiting on a runway and wait for wings to be de-iced. Okay, maybe waiting on the greyhound is worse.

Anonymous said...

When Hubby and I were Boyfriend and I, we had the misfortune of having to ride a Greyhound 6 hours home (motorcycle problems). It was funny, because there was a guy on his way to "rehab" who pounded his Robitussen and then asked us for a beer from our cooler. (Comical, if sad.) Glad to hear you made it home in one piece and that if you drooled on anyone in your sleep, it was a friend, at least (and vice versa) :)

singleton said...

Good Lord, I have my own greyhound stories (the toothless wonder, etc) but those icecicles are out of this world! Welcome home, sweetie! And happy, happy New Year to be!

DG said...

Welcome back! Those pictures are awesome, and as for trains? They always sound better than they are :)

Anonymous said...

the icicles are unreal!!

SMARTBuddy said...

COme on, are the arm rests really that bad?! Amasing icicles!

Michelle and the City said...

you and your travel stories!

and i'm glad you're back (and sappy to boot!) ;)

A Margarita said...

Awww, too cute. I like random kisses.

I've never taken the Greyhound and based on what you're saying, I don't think I ever plan to.

Chris Benjamin said...

some time maybe i'll post about my 48 hour greyhound ride from new orleans to boston. or my 36 hour trip from vancouver to san fran. or my 42 hours from arizona to louisiana. greyhound in the states can be even more painful, louder, harder to sleep or read. but in many ways more entertaining too.

Lisa said...

I love that quote!
And I have only ever had bad greyhound experiences

Crushed said...

I didn't realise you had Greyhound buses in Canada too.

Sappy? explain to one unfamiliar with North americanisms...

Unknown said...

Oh, so that was YOUR credit card? Oops. I'll send it back. You might have an extra charge or two on there ...

I hate the bus. Drives me nuts. HA! Get it? I didn't even mean to do that ...

mcgee said...

Ugh. I HATE riding Greyhound or any such type bus. I almost always feel like I have to throw up. Sorry for that info.

Belated welcome back!