Buses in Florence

Remember all my stories about the buses? Well, I got some more. The Friday before Easter I was heading into the lab and the bus all of sudden slowed down. We all look up and what do we see out the window but this:

I actually walked back after getting off the bus to take this picture. There were ATAF people all around, waiting for the tow truck or whatever you need to get buses out of ditches. I bet I even know what driver had this little accident. There is one who likes to aim for all of the potholes on this road, honestly.

Riding the bus into the lab today, a similar thing happened. All of sudden, we slowed down and had to move over a lane. Apparently, one of the buses sideswiped a car and took the side mirrors off the car. The two drivers were on the side of the road, waiting for the police or insurance people I guess. No picture of that, I had the camera but couldn’t get it out in time.

Then, when we got onto the campus in Sesto Fiorentino, I’m watching out the window, trying to memorize some vocabulary words when we pass a guy on a horse. I guess he got tired of riding the bus. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried people.

I almost died today

I knew that walking in the streets of Florence might be hazardous to my health (see previous post “Mint is my favorite flavor”) but I didn’t think that riding the buses would be dangerous.

To get to the lab, we have to ride the bus. Depending on the time of day it can take between 30 minutes and a hour. The lab is really out in the middle of nowhere. I was going to take some pictures on the way out but I needed both hands to stay upright.

We have to transfer to another bus line to take us the full way. The bus gets on a short highway where it can travel at high rates of speed. To get on the highway, there is a 270 degree turn. The bus driver was taking it so fast that I swear the edge of the bus was scraping the road. Was this a reason to slow down? NO! Are you nuts? Once we were on the straightaway, he jammed on the accelerator, presumable to catch the draft of the little Peugot in front of us. When the bus driver realized that the Peugot wasn’t going fast enough, he had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision.

The entire trip on this bus (which took about 12 minutes the first day) only took about 8 minutes today. It was better than caffeine to wake up!

Hopefully there is a more reasonable driver on the way home and I’ll try to snap some pictures. Because I know that’s the only reason that you come and visit.

Wow. 50 hours.

I had a little moment today. I can’t believe that I am leaving in 50 hours. I think that things are going OK, everything is on schedule. No, I still haven’t packed. Tomorrow. But it dawned on me: I don’t like to travel. Really. I like to stay home with my stuff. I’m going to be gone from my stuff and my cats for FOUR MONTHS.

I’m really excited to have some time in the lab and learn new things. I’m excited to drink some good Italian wine. I’m excited to … well, I can’t think of anything else right now.

I’m really nervous and scared about a lot more things.

At least Jim will be with me, which makes it better. I promise to break out of my shell and experience new things and have a good time. And take lots of pictures and share them with you.