Carissa Marsh
Washington, D.C. Columnist
“Life in drive.” That may be the latest slogan for the Ford Motor Company, but it has also been the motto for much of my adult life. However, as I prepared for my semester in D.C., it became apparent to me that there was one thing I would not be able to pack: my black 1998 Chevy Cavalier.
My lack of a car was not directly my main problem or fear upon coming to this new city. I can survive without a set of wheels. What I was really worried about was my lack of public transportation experience. In other words, I am a public transportation virgin.
Don’t get me wrong, I have, albeit infrequently, traveled by train and plane. But in regard to all other forms of mobility, I am a novice. Growing up in Southern California, I never boarded a public bus, called a taxi or rode the subway. In fact, my first time flying solo was on the plane ride here. I finally stepped inside a yellow-topped cab only a few months ago.
Most students come to the D.C. program with more pressing issues than transportation on their mind, such as securing an internship. And while I did not pin down an internship until last week, I have been more concerned with using the Metro subway and buses to get around town.
My first encounter with the Metro system came quickly, the day after arrival. I had an interview with my potential internship, and I had to use public transportation to get there. Built into the program’s orientation was a time to learn about and use the Metro but, coincidentally, that time was scheduled during my interview. So I had to discover the Metro on my own.
After walking from my apartment to the Metro station, I purchased a farecard and boarded the correct train. An early success, but the adventure was not over. Because the Metro routes do not go everywhere, travelers sometimes have to switch lines or board buses to take them where they need to go. For my trip, I had to board a connector bus that, had I stayed on long enough, would take me only a short walk away from my internship site. However, I got off the bus early and therefore had a brisk 20-minute walk. There’s nothing like aerobics at 10 a.m. in 40 degrees.
For those of you who may be wondering, I did make my interview on time, and I got the job. Still, everyday errands, especially grocery shopping, have been made more interesting without the use of a car. My apartment mate, junior Brittany Beck, and I strategically planned our latest shopping trip. After taking the Metro and walking a couple blocks, we entered the nearest supermarket. I suggested that we use the hand baskets to shop because that way our choices would automatically be limited. She agreed, adding that using the baskets would let us know how heavy our items were since we would have to carry them back to the apartment. Satisfied with our cleverness, we split up and conquered the store, baskets in hand.
My apartment now orders groceries online, thus eliminating the problem of transportation altogether. Still, I have recently been considering the best way to buy a large trash can for the kitchen without lugging it all over the D.C. area. It is this kind of planning that lets me know I am not in Malibu anymore.
So while I may not be in Italy, England, France, Argentina, or another foreign county, in some ways I still feel like I am in a different world. But this West Coast gal is slowly but surely becoming somewhat of a transportation expert. I have conquered cars, trains, planes, taxis, buses and the Metro. What is next for me? Well, the slogan for the Metro is “opens doors.” One thing is certain: this experience promises to open many new doors for me.
01-19-2006
