Journey Across New England

Since I had a car this summer, I was especially excited to use public transportation on my trek to New York for Thanksgiving. I really enjoy public transportation. It’s often overcrowded, people are pushy and they tend to ignore those outside their own little bubble. It makes for some really great people watching.

1.) Bikes outside USM’s Portland campus center.

2.) Taking the MBTA commuter rail to Worcester.

3.) Arrivals and departures at South Station.

4.) Standing and waiting for the arrivals and departures.

5.) Getting some writing done.

6.) Collar City Bridge, Troy, NY

7.) Crossing the water, En route to Boston from Portland

8.) Bombers Burrito Bar, Albany, NY

9.) MBTA subway map

So, one of my favorite things about traveling is observing everyone else traveling. In Boston, I get to spy on those in their daily grind; bleary eyed, coffee and metro in hand, well-suited State St. business folk, their sneakered retail servants. I’m exceptional at blending in, I know how to dart in and out of a crowd, I know how to look like I belong. I really enjoy my anonymity.

People are gorgeous when they don’t know it; arrivals and departures are always impassioned.

If you happen to be someone who is trying to move about New England for really little cash, I recently discovered Bolt Bus, which offers really inexpensive service for Boston, New York City, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. After your fourth round trip purchase with them, you get a fifth free. As a really broke student who likes to get out in the world, that sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

Concord Trailways is my Portland – Boston standby. Their tickets are especially cheap for students if you buy them round trip ($28), the buses are always clean, they give you a snack (snack time!) and you can watch a really cheesy PG-13 rated movie if you want (Just Like Heaven anyone? Yeah, didn’t think so, but it’s the thought that counts.)