Looking back..
I remember how surprised I was when I just arrived in Gambier. Frankly speaking, the transportation system somehow upset me (which then I figured out that this issue doesn’t only apply to my small pretty Gambier but also to the States in general, oh man..).
I have to admit, being the youngest female member in the family spoiled me (but bearing in mind that I was spoiled in a positive way). In fact, I was more spoiled than my 5-years old younger brother. I could easily count how many times I took the public transport since it wouldn’t require me to use even a single additional finger to do so. It was neither that I was being too selfish to stand under the noonday heat waiting for the ‘mikrolet’ (that’s how we call the public transport in my city, Manado) nor too demanding in terms of air conditioner. Indeed I wasn’t. My parents were and still are too protective toward me. They wanted to provide the best security and comfort as they could. Without realizing that they had stolen some pieces of my youth puzzle from my life frame. I missed the fun part of sweaty and loud events that my friends had cherished on their journey homes, in the-assumed by my parents- uncomfortable and creepy blue ‘mikrolet’. However, I still respect my parents’ decision and action. Oh ya, just as additional info, our ‘mikrolet’ is very famous for its extraordinary loud sound system. Thus, when I used ‘loud’ to describe such event, I do really mean that.
Back to my disappointment about the American public transport; Two years living in the Land of The Queen, more precisely the Land of the Lamb, had spoiled me even more. In the UK, as long as you have money and dare to be strictly punctual, you can go to more and less anywhere you want. Even from Manchester to a small city that only has two grocery stores; yes, that was my place! Traveling from my place to London was just as easy as taking underground from Edgware Rd to Westminster but far less creepy though with longer distance . Yet London underground is creepy enough to be afraid of. And if you are well organized, you can book your bus ticket a month in advance to get a super duper cheap fare (e.g 3 pound which is $6, for a 5 hours bus ride. Sometimes roundtrip)!!!
Almost forgotten, Land of the Lamb is my nick name for Wales as my tribute to the massive number of sheep and lamb that region has. The number of sheep and land there is, believe or not, a lot more than the human population.
I thought that it’s reasonable enough for me to get upset with the transportation system in the States, a land where I was expecting to indulge my self with a more developed public transport system prior my coming. Till now, I still can’t accept the fact that a mighty country like the USA has a very lame and expensive public transport. Sorry for being a bit sassy in criticizing your country (if you happen to be an American citizen). But, I bet you do agree with me about this although probably not to the same degree. Nonetheless, I am truly happy to be here. To be welcomed and financially supported. I believe to share one’s opinion is not a sin but please pardon me if mine offends any of you. Feedbacks are welcome and will be highly appreciated!
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