Day 26: Foiled by the Bus

How do you get rid of smoke smell from your clothes? Last night's bonfire left my clothes, especially the jacket reeking of burnt smoke smell. Couldn't wash them all day today because the laundry room was booked. Let's hope a good wash tomorrow will take the stench away.

I really cannot understand why I spend over 160kr (S$40) each week when I do my grocery shopping. Every single week, I check what I need, and more often than not, I don't seem to require anything much. But whenever I check out, the bill comes to that amount or more! I just don't get it! What did I buy? Maybe it's time for me to start making a list of what I need each week. That way I'll know what extras I bought. Good idea, no?

Anyway, back to the main topic. It seems I had an utopian veiw of the bus system here. I was so amazed at the punctuality of the buses, the facts that the buses can actually tip towards the pavement (At first, I thought the bus had uber poor suspension.) and that they were never that crowded as back home in Singapore. I was wrong on two counts. But I hope these incidents do not happen too frequently.

Disappointment 1
Bus 20 came late yesterday. Very late. It was a whole 15 minutes late. And worse still two buses came at the same time. Ala Number 105 in the little red dot. Whenever two buses arrive at the bus stop together, it can only mean two things. The wait for the next bus will be very long. And the other will be my disappointment 2.

Disappointment 2
It can be crowded in the buses here as well. There may not be seats available, so standing is the only option. That, I don't mind so much. Usually the standing space is sufficient. However, the bus was extremely packed yesterday. Like sardines in a tin can. Like in buses during peak hours back in the little red dot. Squeezed like mad.

Disappointment 3
I never expected of this here, but I guess we are all human. And we err. The bus this evening (Bus 2) actually missed its stop! Oh. My. Goodness! I heard the bell ring indicating that someone wanted to get down at the coming stop. But, no... The driver missed it. We had to alight at the stop after that. It's not like the bus stops here are almost every 100 to 200 metres apart, like in back home. They can be quite a distance away! Missing a stop when the weather is bad means a horrible cold and wet walk back. And yes. The driver missed MY stop. 6 passengers (myself included) had to trek back to the right bus stop and towards our final destination. Luckily the weather was good this evening.

That said, I still think that the bus system here is leaps and bounds ahead than in back home. The punctuality generally cannot be beat, and the buses are very well maintained. Plus, the buses here have two exits! People do not crowd around the exits, and I don't have to force my way out of buses. The buses allow pets but limits them to the back of the bus, so those with allergies or those who mind should sit towards the front. Pets of all forms (other than fishes) are banned in buses back home. I've even seen signs that forbid birds and caged rabbits (or hamsters) in the bus.

Watched Narnia for the second time. This time it was with Jana (or Janka as she prefers it) and friends; Eva, Maruska (both from the Czech Republic), Maria (Spain), and Jamie (USA). I went to Flogsta for that. It's a really nice place. I guess that's what is considered the suburbs. More space and more trees.

And the student corridor there is really what I consider a real sutdents' corridor. It's just like PGP. A relatively small room (although it's nearly twice the size of a typical PGP room), with an attached bathroom (relatively large as well). There is a common kitchen, so it's the meeting place (so easy to meet people like that), and a common lounge room with television (another great meeting place). The guys and girls are split into different corridors, just like back home. A real students' hall. Where I stay the room and bathroom are much larger and a small kitchen and television included. While I like the spaciousness, it gets lonely because everyone stays in his own room. The common kitchen is used, but not so much for socialising. While I know some of my neighbours, and even caught a show together, we don't meet often. I haven't seen many other occupants in the same corridor as I. That's how impersonal this place is. I would prefer something of the former. Wouldn't you?