Being the new kid in town can be something of a bummer. You don't know anyone, you can't find a decent Thai restaurant and your world seems to be limited to your commute and the three blocks surrounding your apartment. Friend, I have been there. I have moved six (six!) times in the last nine years.
Thus, a friend and I created Bus Roulette, the cure for all that ails a new-comer.
To play, grab yourself an erstwhile companion, a map of your new city and program the number of your city's transit center into your cell phone. Bumble down to your nearest bus stop and get on the first bus that pulls up. No really, the first one. You are not allowed to fuss about the fact that it's headed into the suburbs or that the driver looks surly. Buy yourselves a day-pass and you are ready for an adventure!
Now, you and your friend pick a time limit - I usually opt for 10 or 15 minutes. When your time's up, you have to get off the bus. Ooooh, adventurous! Poke around your new surroundings and see what you can see. A Buddhist temple? Your new favorite thrift store? A great mom-and-pop Greek cafe? The cheapest nail salon in town?
After you've exhausted this 'hood, get back on the bus and try again, same time limit, same rules. I found some of my favorite cafes and thrift shops this way, not to mention inadvertently witnessing a traditional Chinese funeral and seeing Jermaine from 'Flight of the Conchords.' Crazy, right?!
When you're done in, call your transit center and they'll be able to direct you back home. Bus it back and congratulate yourself on a move well played!
Goal: Entertain yourself, get to know your new city
Rules: Don't fuss about your destination and don't lose your day pass.
Number of players: 2 - 4
Directions: Buy your day pass and ride like the wind!
3 comments:
Ah, this is lovely. We moved to London just over a year ago and still routinely do this. We have exhausted ALL the routes near our flat, so now we hop on a bus out to a stop we don't know and jump on the next bus from there. It's great for people watching and city spying too. It's amazing what happens in the corners of a community!
LOVE IT great idea
Fantastic idea!
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