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Find out more about Kena: If wanderlust were a sin, Kena Sosa would be in trouble. Born on the Day of the Explorer, she cannot help but to be on the constant search for adventure and new sights and sounds. She has lived in Japan and Mexico, and has trekked all over North America by bus, train, and car. Now she is learning how to travel with her husband and first child at her side, a little boy just as curious about the world as she is. |
If anyone could tell you how to survive a long-distance bus trip, it would be me. I have gone all the way south to Mexico City and all the way north to Ottawa all on what some would consider a less luxurious form of travel. I do not consider the bus a bum's way here or there. On the bus you will find those who both are looking to save money and others like myself who simply want to avoid flying.
Most of the time in the US you will be stuck on Greyhound (www.grehound.com). I admit, not all of my experiences have been whimsical. However, as a writer, they bring about a lot of writing fodder. Greyhound's advantages include a special discount for purchasing tickets over seven days in advance, flexible scheduling, frequent stops for breaks or to buy food, unassigned seating, and they go pretty much everywhere-something which the airlines do not. Greyhound's disadvantages include bus bathrooms which are not always clean (however I just wait until we stop and get off instead), delays, and long-distance takes a long time.
There are ways to deal with a long-distance bus ride. Try conversing with your neighbor. I have had some of the best conversations of my life with people on the bus who I might have never spoken to on the street. I have met a cheese farmer, truckers, newly-recruited military, and mothers this way.
Bring your own entertainment. Greyhound buses, even those with monitors will not show movies as in the past they have done so and received complaints about content. I would much rather have complaining than nothing, but it is not up to me. Bring music players with headphones, pen and paper, phone or a laptop (if you are willing to keep good watch over it). These will help pass the time quicker.
Bring a pillow and blanket. Sleep!
Or you can try one of the Mexican bus lines. They do not seem to be bothered by complaints about movies being shown (or they do not receive complaints on the subject). These lines do not go everywhere as Greyhound does, but do go to principal cities such as Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, or into Mexico. Some of these bus lines include Americanos, Tornados, and Estrella Blanca.
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