Bus Traveling Tips Part #1

So I was going through some word docs on my laptop and came across what is below, which I wrote at the end of last summer...right after my 40hour bus ride.The past two summers I have used the bus as transportation to the Midwest, both of them had their own unique stories!


Grey Hound Travel Part #1

~Seating
One of the nice things about traveling on the train and the bus is that your are able to pick your seat. Seats are however on a first come first serve basis, so try to get in line for boarding early. I personally always try to snag a seat in the first 2 rows, preferably on the right side of the bus(this way you have a clear view out the front w/out the bus driver in the way). There are a couple of reasons that I choice the first couple rows.
1.You are able to get off the bus first at stops. Which means no standing in the hot stuffy air which usually collects in the rear of the bus.
2. Most smokers and bad characters stay as far away from the bus driver as possible i.e. they sit in the back.
3.Rarely are the first two rows taken, which means you can snag two seats next to each other and spread you stuff over both, thus discouraging others to sit by you. If at all possible, GET TWO EMPTY SEATS NEXT TO EACH OTHER!
4. You don’t have to smell the awful stench coming from the restroom located in the rear of the bus. Trust me, it is awful!

~Food
If you have ever gone backpacking with me, you know that I enjoy eating, but still don’t like to eat too much junk food. For me this "rule" still applies when I am traveling which means that I bring most all my traveling food with me, instead of buying the nasty fast-food located where the bus has its meal stops. Here is a list of the foods which I have found to be great for grey hound travel.
Snacks: Wheat Thins, some sort of gummy candy to chew on i.e. Mike and Ike's or gummy bears (my favorite),NAME orange crackers,
Breakfast: Canned fruit cocktail.
Lunch: Bagels, Bagels, and Bagels.
Dinner: the easiest and most filling would have to be Ravioli. You can also get canned spaghetti, or a noodle mix.
MAKE SURE THAT ALL CANS WHICH YOU TAKE TO EAT WHILE TRAVELING ON THE BUS HAVE AN EASY OPEN PULL TOP!

~Sleeping
Deep sleep on the bus is non-existent! However I normally am able to doze in and out for a few hours! I always make sure that I have a leg or arm thru each of my carry on items i.e. backpack, camera bag, laptop bag; that way they won’t sprout legs while you are sleeping and walk off!