Introduction

As a child of New York City and non-driving "transit-dependent" adult of New England, buses and trains have been among the few constants in my life. Indeed, I would not be able to live the life I do without them. They have granted me the opportunities for reading perspective-changing books and articles; listening to soulful music; catching up on school or professional work;  making (and losing) friends; as well as acquainting myself with people and places I would not find in everyday life.

The following vignettes chronicle these experiences (and more!). They include: my first subway ride from my home borough to an unknown one; weekday travels to and from an exciting but daunting new secondary school; commuter train trips to and from an even more daunting new college; the first public transit ride I took after 9-11; the promise (perhaps misleading at times) of a new life after graduate school;  and a cross-country bus trip later in adulthood replete with surprises. 

Here we go...