Continued from previous…
11:08 am - It took me a while to figure out how to go. I decided to take the T route. It seemed like the easiest stop to board would be College North, but the MetroMover still wasn’t working. So I go out to take a shuttle. I was supposed to wait on the Inner Loop bus, but the Omni Loop came around and I decided to just hop on that. I was looking at my map and an older gentleman told me that I looked lost. He tells me he’s lived here 59 years. He can tell me how to get where I need to go. I tell him I want the T bus. He thinks I say "The Key" several times. Finally I say "The beach", "Oh," he says, "You want C to get to the beach." Then the bus driver yells back, "The T, that’s my normal route". Finally after a difficult to understand conversation taking place across 10 aisles of a noisy bus, the driver recommends that I get off at the corner to go to another stop that the T will soon pass by…otherwise I might miss it. Right…I forgot about having to worry about the timing off all of this! I got off, but too bad…I think I might have had a nice conversation with that gentleman.
So I’m waiting here at E Flagler & NE 1st Ave. Seems to me that the bus should be here around 11:19am, but I’m having a little trouble figuring out the map/timing on my schedule. While I’m waiting, I pick up some newspaper flying around and toss it in the trash. The 7A, 2, K, 6, 2(again), 10, 8, 9 go by…then the T!
11:24 am - Board bus. Show coupon. Get on. I’m one of 5 passengers. This is my first time on a real bus in Miami.
11:35 am - Omni stop. Huge stop. Good to know. The younger people on the bus tend to talk on their cells, text, or listen to their iPods. I check the schedule. I’m due to arrive around 12:05 pm. More passengers are boarding. They are paying. I feel bad, I have some extra coupons in my bag. I need to give them out soon or it will just be a waste.
11:48 am - We’re riding over the bridge & now are officially in Miami Beach. What a beautiful ride. A bumpy one, but pretty.
11:52 am - We’ve now got 22 people on the bus. The senior citizen seats are filled (with senior citizens). Something I’ve noticed is that if a younger person is using those "priority seats" and they see a senior citizen boarding, the younger person automatically gets up and changes seats.
11:55 am - This guy just got off with his CVS bags at a stop directly in front of his condo. Sweet!
12:15 pm - The bus is really emptying out. Eight adults, one child. 73rd & Collins. I’m such a dork, my stomach has been nervous for the past few minutes because I know I need to ring the bell for my stop soon.
12:19 pm - I’m here. And I didn’t even have to pull the lever. The nursery is pretty. Lots of plants that I’ve never seen before.
The nursery is a socially responsible project. From the website:
Serving the community since 1975, this not-for-profit 501-(c)3 organization works to provide a sheltered workplace for developmentally disabled adults, to provide them with marketable job skills, and to allow them to live more independent and personally satisfying lives.
I’ll have to write a little more about it later (in an update in this same post).
I didn’t get to drink a coco water, they weren’t open. I wonder if it’s only on the weekends?
I go across the street to the beach. The ocean looks like the Caribbean - light blue & gorgeous.
12:36 pm - Time to figure out my next stop. I pull out #2, Green Street Cafe…..TO BE CONTINUED (I need to get going!!! I’m looking for a southbound bus stop sign & start walking. It takes me 2 blocks to figure out that I’m on a one-way Northbound street.
I cut over to Harding Ave. & find a stop. It’s going to be a little tricky to get to the Grove from here. I’ve basically decided to get on the next bus that comes - any route.
12:51 pm - Sweet! It’s the S. That looks like one that I wanted. A girl at my stop gets her money out and I tell her I’ll give her a coupon. I show the driver mine & say I’m going to give the girl another one. The drive wants to see "both, right here, right now". the girl looks confused & pays in the time it takes me to get it out. I give it to her anyway. That sucks that she paid. Oh well.
I’ve been on 3 buses so far today - all different styles (seating wise). It’s hard to count from here, but it seems like there are about 35 people on board.
12:59 pm - It looks like I’ll be getting off at Miami Ave & SW 1st St. I’ll want the number 48 bus. Checking the 48 schedule, I think I need the 1:40 pm bus. That might be a push.
1:04 pm - I just realized that the reason this bus is so big is because it’s a double. I’m sitting at the end of the front section & I didn’t even notice.
1:17 pm - We just turned onto Lincoln Rd. Bus is quite a bit emptier right now. I’m starving.
1:21 pm - Man, this is a bumpy ride . I just moved to the back of the bus. I’m sure it’s worse back here.
1:24 pm - We’re on Alton. A guy in a CVS Pharmacy polo shirt gets off. We just happen to be right in front of a CVS. Another drop-off right in front of the destination! I’m doubting I’m going to make the 1:40 pm #48 bus.
1:31 pm - Too bad people scratch the windows so much. It’s such a gorgeous view on the bridges, and really anywhere on the beach. We’ve only got about 9 people on the bus now.
1:38 pm - We’re passing the American Airlines Arena. I’m hoping that the 48 is running a little late.
1:41 pm - We’re in front of Bayside. Only 3 passengers on the bus.
1:43 pm - 1st Street. I wouldn’t want to be one of these drivers, that’s for sure. With all of the construction, they barely have one lane to drive in.
1:48 pm - I get off the bus after catting with the driver. I didn’t realize it, but we switched drivers mid-way through my ride. The road is blocked. I’m not clear on where I need to go. I wander around a bit, and the same bus driver comes around the corner (in the bus) and gives me a friendly honk and a wave. That’s nice! I pass a couple of stops that I think 48 might be at. I’m wrong.
By now, I’m almost back at Government Center & the Main Library. I’ll take a quick blogging stop & be on my way.
2:22 pm - Most of this post was written during this stop (the rest was added on March 21). I log off and leave the library.
