Having grown up in the suburbs, I had very little experience with city life prior to moving here. My only memories of taking public transportation were the occasional bus ride for a field trip or during summer vacation when I would visit my grandma in Japan.

I’ve learned quite a bit in my short year and a half here. Maybe those of you who grew up in the city or live in the city can relate.

Transportation

Public transportation is both wonderful and awful. I hated driving in the states. There were so many times when getting stuck in traffic would induce fiery rage within me. These were the days before unlimited data or even decent smartphones, so I was limited to radio programs and whatever CDs or MP3s I happened to have handy. Having access to public transportation here has been a blessing, in that I no longer have to fight traffic to get across town. I can read, or knit (if I had my knitting supplies), or twiddle my thumbs if I so desire. Traffic here can be pretty bad, so if I need to get across town or to another district during a busy time of the day (which here, is pretty much all day), I’ll take the subway.

The downside, of course, are the throngs of people you have to push through to get on the bus or subway. Not to mention the loss of the convenience of having your own vehicle to cart around all the stuff you might need, and the ability to travel when and where you want without having to rely on someone else’s schedule. This is especially true with kids. I have to make a mental note each time I’m in a new station, carefully charting out each useful characteristic. Does this stop have stairs? An escalator or elevator? (Side note: if a station does have an elevator, it’s usually broken.) If only stairs, how many flights? What does the transfer look like? Is this a transfer station and will it be crowded? All of this is really hard for my mommy brain to keep track of, so if I’m alone with the boys, I opt to call a car instead. It usually costs three times as much, but at least I know what I’m getting.

We recently upgraded our family scooter. We wanted to get something a little more secure and roomy, but it would have been too expensive. Instead, we opted to get Haddon a helmet, buy a new battery, and fix up the seats and cargo area. We’re not really protected against the elements, but it gives us a quick way to go short distances. Someday, I will learn how to drive a scooter. I’m not sure when that day will be, but hopefully soon. Drivers beware!

We’re thankful for…

  • His mercies that are new every morning
  • A decent banh mi restaurant within a semi-acceptable distance
  • Friends and community

Some things we miss…

  • Sunshine
  • Holiday feasting
  • Smell of clean air