the bus.

Before I came to NZ, I had never ridden a bus for public transportation.  Ok, once I rode one for 2 miles as a shuttle between Creighton and the Qwest Center for a basketball game, but that does not count (especially because I had to drive my car to Creighton).  When we first arrived in NZ, I was incredibly nervous and overwhelmed to ride the bus.  First came the hassle of figuring out when and which bus would arrive at the stop closest to where I was at a given time.  Next, I had to rummage through money that was completely unfamiliar and unrecognizable to me to pay the driver while a line of people was behind me.  Once sitting on the bus, I still couldn't find comfort, as I craned my neck to try and spot where to get off the bus so that I could push the button to notify the driver on time.  Goodness, it was quite the ordeal!

I can't believe that I haven't driven a car since September.  And that it's been long enough that I can barely remember what side the gas pedal is on, and it looks funny when we see an American car in NZ with the steering wheel on the left side.  Bus rides, as long as they aren't to completely new places, are simple and easy now; I even have some of the timetables memorized.  I realize that the location of our flat is the most fortunate occurence.  There are two bus lines that stop right outside our front door, which from my experience in other people's homes that aren't on bus lines, makes me feel incredibly lucky, considering our situation.  Although my life and times revolve a lot around waiting for the bus, and trying to be on time for it, I feel like it's been a growth process and confidence booster.  I have to admit though, I do miss driving and its conveniences, and can't wait to get back to it.  But there's no doubt that bus riding has increased my patience and slowing down in NZ!