Public Transportation!

Public Transportation.

Public transportation is special. Think about it.  You work in the city.  You need to take the metro to work during rush hour.  You get on the train and all the seats are taken and everyone is crowded at the doors.  It's not as crowded in the middle (because people don't scoot in as much as they should), but you can't get past the people at the doors so you just stand at the doors with everyone else.

You're very close to and often times touching complete strangers. You don't know which way to turn because any way you look, you're staring into someone's face.  They have the bars so high that you have your sweaty armpit in someone's face or you're too far away from a bar that you can't hold onto anything.  That's especially fun when the train slows down or stops suddenly and then you're trying really hard not to touch anyone in an inappropriate place. 

I don't tell you all of this to complain (I am very grateful for public transportation), but I tell you this as an observation.  I've been going to downtown D.C. for work, twice a week on the metro.  Let's just say if you have a personal bubble, then on the metro or bus or whatever the case may be, it is gone. Out the window.  So long.   Sayonara.  Do svidaniya.  Au revoir.  Zai jian.  Adios.