If You Get a Roommate, I'll Cosign For You

It was July fifth when I was leaving Nashville (TN) heading back to Bloomington (IN) after a weekend in North Carolina.  I left my cousin, who was also my host, riding off into the sunset after we cruised and walked the downtown area of Nashville.  I stopped through Krispy Kreme to order a dozen original glazed donuts since Indiana only has one KK in the state and apparently nobody knows where it's located.  After filling up my tank, I finally got on the road. After 3 hours into my 5 hour ride, my 1997 Mazda Protege started to slow down.  I pulled over to the side of the road wondering what was wrong and as soon as I did, it cut off and consequently began to smoke. 

I'm thinking, it's cool, I'll just call AAA, they'll bring out some oil, and I'll be on my merry little way.  Here's what REALLY happened.  I finally got home at 4:30 in the AM after two 100 mile tows.  I found out the next day that it would take $1600 to fix all the things that was wrong with the trusty steed I had for the past five years in addition to the $100 it cost to get the car towed to the mechanic and the cost of the diagnostic test.  This thought devastated me.  Not only because the car was worth less than $400 but also because now, I was stuck in a state where I had no relatives with no means of RELIABLE transportation.  How was I going to get to work? Where was I going to get money from to pay for a new car? How am I going to get to the grocery store? 

This is when my relationship with the Bloomington Transit System transformed from a fleeting romance in between classes to a serious courtship in which BTS and I frequently rendezvous all over town.  I had to maneuver my way from home to work, the library, and the grocery store.  During my many hours of labor riding the bus I realized that trying to get around this town, or any town on public transit is hard work. By the time I arrived to work, I was already exhausted and with good reason.  If I needed to be at work by 8, I often had to leave my apt by 7, switch buses at the downtown depot, get off at a stop, and then walk the rest of the way to work.  I've had to do this the past month with the two jobs that I have.  Luckily, tomorrow, I will be getting a new(er) car!!

My hat's off to those of you who have a long term relationship with any form of public transportation.  This country, southern chick won't be experiencing anything like this anytime soon.  Or at least I like to think that.