So yesterday afternoon I was given the opportunity to ride the 13 Trolley from Center City out to SW Philly. This wasn't anything new because I ride the trolley everyday to and from work. The difference today was that on my way home I got on at about 5:15 p.m. Rush hour time! After waiting for the trolley for about 10 minutes the #13 pulls up and it is completely packed. I am the last one to get on and I can barely fit inside the door with my backpack on. Taking my backpack off and just holding it in front of me enabled me to get on. After about 4 stops the trolley unloads some passengers enough to at least allow to me hold onto a pole in the middle of the aisle. I was completely amazed at how quiet it was in this packed from front to end trolley. All the seats are filled and all the poles are taken by passengers and there is not a single conversation going on. It was completely amazing. I wanted to say some witty comment about how quiet it was but I was fearful for the dreadful glares that I would receive from people who obviously did not want to be bothered. After 25 more minutes of staring at the floor I was able to find a seat for about 3 stops. The conversation going on in my head after I sat down was one of amazement and frustration that I didn't take the time to open my mouth and ask one of those people how their day was.
I am determined that the next time I take the trolley I am going to talk with the person that I am blessed to either sit by, but more than likely, stand next to as we are squished together riding the grand old SEPTA trolley
1 comment:
When Kate and I visited NY, we rode the subway once. After scurrying onto the sub, I looked up at one of the advertisements in the trolley and made some midwestern witty comment about it. I was grufly rebutted by a guy standing next to me. It was a mixture of cussing and other desciptive terms of foreigners and visitors. The rest of the rise we were all as quiet as your Philly train.
Keep up the talking to strangers!
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