New York City Buses are Pure Theater.

I absolutely adore riding the New York Buses. Having recently moved here, I hadn't ridden a bus in years, as I drove everywhere in my former city, Los Angeles. Had to. The Public Transportation in Los Angeles is practically non-existent.

Got on a cross-town bus in the late afternoon yesterday. When I reached to put my card in the money box, there was a little card that said " Free Today." How nice. I said "Thank You," and sat down almost in the front row, closest to the bus driver. It was a busy time for bus users. Everyone got on and went to pay. The reactions on the peoples' faces were incredible.

One lady actually looked angry. Most people didn't ever react; they just put their bus cards quickly back where they'd come from. A couple actually asked, " Free?" and got the driver to nod.

One man asked," Does that meant that I just take my seat?" He was carrying a brief case stuffed with Financial Newspapers.

People continued to get on and off, barely noticing the driver. Then one woman walked to the front of the bus to ask the driver where the bus stopped. The driver asked her to stop yelling. The lady replied that she naturally had a loud voice.

When I finally got up to get off, I thanked the driver for the free ride and wished her a lovely evening. She just smiled, looking so relieved to finally have someone pay attention to her!

New York Taxi Drivers Can Be Amazing!!!

I have taken lots of taxi rides, since I moved to New York four years ago.

Some men... I've only had one female driver!!!... want to have a conversation with me, which I usually welcome and appreciate. I've spoken with drivers from all over the world, who have created better lives for themselves here. Some who came here alone,  have married and have raised kids who have gone off to college. These guys are super proud; and well they ought to be. Some leave their families behind and ultimately bring them over. Others come with everyone: their own young families and their parents, the grandparents. Paying attention to my drivers have usually enriched my day and social horizon.

I can imagine having a Giant National 'Reunion' of all the people who came here and became taxi drivers over the past three decades. what a movie that would make! I am sure we would learn lots and be wiser for their stories.

Every taxi driver I've spoken to has a story and has never been sorry they've come here. Some left professions behind, because they were afraid they could not expand their prior lives. Here, they have acquired property and their children are now living the lives they envisioned for themselves.

The grandest story I've heard from heard is about a man who arrived here with no money and started working in gas stations. He soon started buying land around several stations. It took time but he built a small empire which now includes a summer home in Italy. Today his children and grandchildren are living the lives of the Upper Class.