So as you may have heard, my car, "Hans," is currently out of service. He doesn't want to start, and I believe that it is the fuel pump. The thought of paying for yet another repair is making me sick to my stomach, so Hans is sitting in front of the house taking a much-needed nap until I can work up the strength to take him to a repair shop.
Last weekend I had plans to drive up to Logan to visit family and friends, celebrate Father's Day, and attend the funeral for a dear fellow performer, Laura Benson. So Friday after work I got my car all packed up and ready to go. I got ready to leave, but low and behold, the car wouldn't start. The engine would sputter and moan and pretend to start, but would immediately die. (From what I've been able to assess from online research, it sounds like the fuel pump.) I thought perhaps it was the battery so I tried jumping it with my roommates car. No luck. I called home to tell them I didn't think I'd be able to come.
My friend Kristin wasn't accepting this and she got online to find a way for me to get home for the weekend. Turns out rental cars are a bit pricey for a few days. Then she found THE SALT LAKE EXPRESS shuttle. I had never heard of it, but come to find out, it goes to Logan twice a day and costs $20 each way. Kristin booked me a seat on the shuttle for Saturday morning at 7:45.
So at 7:45 the next morning I boarded the shuttle, along with 5 other unfortunate people who don't have cars. There was a hispanic man in the back corner seat, a young couple (probably 16-17 years old) in front of the hispanic man, and a man in a black hoodie and sunglasses (reminded me of the Unibomber). We set out on our journey to Logan. The ride was enjoyable, sans the uber shaky van. I thought at one point the whole bus was going to fall apart. Luckily it didn't. After a stop in Ogden and a stop in Brigham City, the shuttle finally arrived in Logan. Kristin was waiting at the University Inn to pick me up.
Well the weekend flew by and before I knew it, it was Monday afternoon and I had to head back to Salt Lake. I got a ride from Kody and Kim to Ogden. From there I boarded the Front Runner train. I was really excited to ride the train; I had high hopes that it would take me back to my years riding the trains in Switzerland. I chose a seat on the top floor of the train and waited for the train to depart.
Turns out, the train is not as fast as I imagined. It barreled through Roy, Clearfield, and Layton. But after Layton it just crawled down the tracks all the way to Salt Lake. If there had been scenic views I wouldn't have minded, but all I saw was people's backyards.
Finally after an hour on the train I arrived at the Hauptbahnhof in Salt Lake City. From the main station I got on Trax, which took me to Trolley Square -- only 6 blocks from my house. The remaining 6 blocks I took by foot. I didn't think it would be too bad, but about 2 blocks into it my heavy duffel bag full of dirty laundry and shoes started to real wear on my shoulder. By the time I got home I was sweaty and my shoulder hurt real bad.
All in all, it was an okay experience riding on public transportation. I would probably do it again, knowing what I know now. Number 1: don't bring heavy luggage with you. Number 2: don't wear flip flops. Those are the big things.
It is nice, now, to know how the other half live -- those who don't have the luxury of having a car to drive whenever they choose. I appreciate having a car more today than I did last week.
