Since I had to wait until today to get a replacement card, I have been begging the
bus drivers and the ladies at train station to get me by. I would make this sad face and then
tell them, as if I could not believe this had happened to me, about my card. Then I would show them my card and wait for their sympathy. It's been good so far.
This morning, though, I had to walk 20 minutes in this weather to the pink line station.
The freaking google direction made it sound so doable and easy to walk to the train station.
Google direction doesn't know anything about walking in 34 degrees.
There was a lady at the station and I got the face again with my ripped U-pass on my hand.
I didn't have a really good feeling for this one. She looked mean.
Even before I tried my story, she saw my ripped U-pass and said, "NO." She actually yelled.
Normally, I would just pay for the fare and hate her for the rest of my life. Today was different for several reasons. Firstly I didn't have any cash on me and secondly, I could not imagine walking back home to get some coins. Thirdly, I had this strange courage surging up, telling me to "stand up" for myself. So I did. Actually I begged.
This girl with boots, gloves, scarf and big fat padding jacket, but still looking freezing, with a useless U-pass on her hand, was trying to explain how wretched she felt.
I think it worked. The lady paused and looked at me for 3 seconds. Then she shook her head and let me get on the train.
3 years ago, someone told me that riding public transports is a humbling experience.
I totally hear her.
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