Riding local transportation all the time is not something I am unfamiliar with.
Growing up in New Jersey it was a way of life for me, whether that was hailing a taxi with groceries in hand, or using the subway system to visit family in New York City.
In Texas, public transportation is viewed as limited and a secondary option for multiple reasons. Whereas in the high metropolitan areas on the east coast it’s the backbone for the working class.
I chose the Hillcrest/Baldwin route. Upon initial arrival to the bus shelter I was greeted by plenty of pigeon droppings and the fond memory of what it was like to try not to get hit with “good luck” by one. I thought I would not encounter pigeons again once I moved from New Jersey but apparently they like South Texas heat too.
Everybody entered a single file line and boarded onto the fairly clean bus as it arrived.
As the temperature reaches 100+ degrees here in September the odor of musk becomes pungent. I contemplate whether I’d rather be shivering my boots off in negative degree weather and at this exact moment the answer is yes.
The sights on my route included many people on bicycles, people driving about their daily commutes, and some of Corpus Christi’s locally owned businesses. While on route, I found a seat toward the front of the bus beside Ryan Villarreal from Odem.
Ryan, who just turned 19, is currently in his first semester at Del Mar College studying security and networking. Ryan is looking forward to working in cyber security in the future, however, “Not for the government,” Ryan said. As of right now, Ryan’s interests include traveling out of state, his favorite places so far being Florida and South Carolina. Even though Ryan couldn’t tell me what he’s looking forward to most this upcoming year, he does have hopes to pursue more sightseeing.
The conversation with Ryan caught the attention of 61-year-old security officer from Calallen, Jessie Martinez who was interested in what I was writing down.
Martinez informed me he was a singer/songwriter who had started at the age of 15 years old.
According to Martinez he has written over 70 country songs and has penned a 307-page book of poetry called, “A Thought to Remember.”
Martinez shared his side hobbies were also dancing and voice celebrity impersonations.
While waiting for my bus back I finally got to talking with 27-year-old Sam Luciano, originally born and raised in Hawaii. Luciano left his family behind and moved to Texas a year and half ago where he came to seek out a better life for himself. He began to explain the hardships of finding job opportunities in Hawaii and the economic standard needed to live there.
Upon his arrival here, he came across a Facebook job listing for a position at Umiya Sushi Buffet, where he now works.
“One big difference between Hawaii and Texas is the people,” Luciano said. “People are a lot nicer here, and more willing to give opportunities.”
