Saturday, October 11, 2008

"Getting There"

I'm waiting on word from my last mechanic, he's trying to find me a car that I can afford.

In the meantime, I just had another very traumatic experience on the #3. I was on my way to Fells Point Festival last Saturday, and I wasn't sure where the closest point where to get off for Harborplace. I try not to ever ask the drivers as most don't want to help.

I asked a woman on the bus and she told me to get off at the stop right after her. She got off at Lombard and St. Paul. So, I rang the bell and nothing happened. I mean, the driver didn't stop. I started to panic. I said, "driver, I need this stop"

No response

DRIVER, I NEED THIS STOP! I say louder, even though I know he heard me the first time.

At this point we've gone another 8 blocks or so. He stops the bus, but not at a bus stop. He turns around and starts screaming at me!

DON'T YOU DARE YELL AT ME WHEN I'M OPERATING A BUS. YOU GONNA CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE COMIN' UP ON THE LAST STOP THAT I MAKE!

I thought, I must be alone on this bus, he'd never scream at me like this if there were witnesses. I turn around and there are at least 10 others who witnessed this. Altogether he went about a mile past where I rang the bell, which was really frightening to me and made me feel like a hostage. (Ironically, there were 2 cop shows on t.v. this week, and the theme in both shows was that hijackers tooks over the plane, did you see it either show? I thought to myself while watching the shows that I know exactly what it's like to feel like a transporation hostage. I nearly always feel like a hostage on public transit)

That experience overshadowed the whole day. The only way I know how to get to Fells Point from Inner Harbor is to take the Water Taxi. It's been about 8 or so years since I've been on it. There used to be 2 or 3. The average price back then was 3 dollars.

This time it was 9 dollars! I was stunned! A 300 percent increase! (right?) It only took 10 minutes to get to Fells Point. I mentioned the high price to a couple of people at the festival and they said that they think it's because of the Water Taxi deaths in about 03 or 04. The theory is that insurance costs have gone up, and now Water Taxi is a monopoly, so they can get away with charging 9 bucks. (You can't buy a one way ticket, you just have to buy a day pass) One of the deaths was a Purdue Grad who just got married. I can't remember if her husband died or not. Anyway, being on the water was very calming to me. I've always loved water. The girl next to me said that there is another 90 minute boat ride that you can take for just 15 dollars, leaving from Harborplace. Sounds like fun, if only there was a safe way to get to the Inner Harbor.

I was stunned at how huge the Fells POint Festival was, it just went on for block after block. I wonder if they have a website. Anyhow, if you don't know much about Baltimore, I'll tell you that Fells Point has a very interesting history. If you like history, then I recommend that you google "Fells Point History"..............

I ran into some acquaintances who were running the Libertarian booth, and they offered to take me home thank goodness.


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