Public Transportation is Fun and Educational

That sounds like something Mr. Rogers would have said, preceded by "OK boys and girls...."

But seriously folks...

I was born in the city, (Philadelphia) and after moving to the suburbs, (New Jersey) spent a lot of time back in the city (New York). I like the city. I like the hustle and bustle (what is bustle anyway?). I like the energy. I like the pace. I like how there are tons of people all doing their own thing but they are still somehow in it together. I like the character, the quirks, the personality of a city.

As far back as I can remember, I've been into buses. Maybe it's because when I was born, we lived in a high-rise apartment and we had a bus that took us into town. It was fun.

Los Angeles is the antithesis of just about everything I just said. I've been interested in the past 10-15 years how our local transit authority, the MTA, has been trying to reinvent itself. To their credit, they've greatly expanded their network. Now there are busways, subways, and light rail lines that cover a pretty good portion of Southern California.

When the busway opened, Matthew and I took a ride. He seemed to enjoy it and it was a neat new experience for him. Same for the subway. On the Metro Red Line, each station has a different theme, and the artwork is really interesting. It's also good for him to learn how to operate the fare machine, how to read the map, where to get off, etc. Do I walk up those steps or down these? Stuff like that. It's invaluable.

We parked at Warner Center, and rode the busway to the Lankershim Metro Station, and then took the Red Line to 7th Street / Metro Center, transferred to the Blue Line, and got off at the Pico Station. We were across the street from the Convention Center / Staples Center. Yeah we might have driven there in less time. But, it was on a Friday, and i didn't want to have to deal with traffic and parking. And, the experience was worth much, much more.

Then, there are the people.

Yes, we live a pretty sheltered existence in suburbia. This is not how the real world lives. Not everyone has a new car (or a car at all for that matter). Not everyone wears the latest fashions. Not everyone eats out all the time. And, not everyone is white.

It's important for the kids not to live in a bubble. On the bus and subway, we were in the minority for sure. We saw young people in suits, people in wheelchairs, older people carrying groceries, and plenty of women on their way home from work that looked probably 10-15 years older than they really were. They looked rundown, sad, and going through the motions. It's good to be around people different than you ... teaches you how to co-exist with others and accept people for who they are. It also (hopefully) teaches you to be thankful for what you have rather than whine and complain about what you don't have.

If you live in the Valley and are going downtown, take Metro. If you're looking for something to do on a weekend day, take your kids for a ride. If they've never been on a city bus or subway, their eyes will open to the world around them and you'll give them a lesson in life worth much more than your $1.25 pass.