Riding The 173
One month ago I stopped driving my car and started riding the bus to work. I found out that a bus picks up really close to my house and drops off really close to my work. This is a pretty rare thing in California, we have many forms of public transportation but they are no where near the accessibility as other major city’s. So, knowing this I jumped on the chance to exploit the transit system of Long Beach.
The only issue I have with taking the bus is the route. Now like I said it picks up close to my house and then drives toward, then passes CSULB. This part of the ride where its mostly students going to school or people going to work around the college. However, after the collage it goes in an area that I don’t even like to drive my car in. It’s the area on PCH between Redondo Blvd and Pacific Blvd, this is where the bus stops at every bus shelter and picks up some interesting people.
The other day, it was teens smoking weed. The day after that it was the homeless guy I call “Night Ranger” being creepy. Yesterday it was the an old African American guy telling jokes to the bus. Everyone was rolling! This was his stage. People were jumping out of their seats like it was the Apollo Theater. I even saw a baby laughing really hard, jumping and slapping her knee! No joke!
That same day on my way home the bus came to a screeching stop on Long Beach Blvd people outside were screaming. I thought someone was hit, but it turned out that it was just a Chola fight. 3 vs 3 and it didn’t last long. When it broke up 3 of the Chola’s walked on to our bus. I even heard on say “you’re fucking stooooooooooooopid ehhhh”. I will never get tired of hearing chola girls say this.
I will post more stories and take pictures as the drama unfolds on the 173.
