I regularly ride the 21 bus to downtown, and for the most part, it's an easy commute. Today, around Central, someone got on that reeked of urine. Almost immediately, people all up and down the bus started opening the tiny windows, gasping for fresh air. I've been on buses with bad body odor, but this was, by far, the worst I've ever experienced.
People all about were casting dirty looks towards the back of the bus (because of course that's usually where such offenders sit), but there was no one back there that fit the typical profile. Then the accusing eyes would wander all around the bus, burning holes in innocent people. Who was it that pissed all over themselves and couldn't care less about their neighbors? Appearances gave no clue.
Windows be damned, the stench held strong as we careened down Hayes. People would get on the bus, sit down, open a window, look around to try to identify the source, then move to the other end of the bus, with no respite. Some were looking at the seat next to them, or the floor below, dreading to find a puddle. Others would get off the bus early, clearly before their intended stop, just to escape. I thought about getting off, but I had a good window seat... Such is the absurd rationality of a MUNI commuter.
Finally, a mother and child got off the bus around City Hall, and the stench weakened immediately. But you can bet that bus will have a lingering odor all day...
Recent Comments