After meeting a friend again for brunch today in the Dupont section of DC, we decided to take a trek up to the revitalized Columbia Heights shopping district to check out the Target and some other new stores that recently opened up over the past few months.  With the rain falling heavily and parking at a premium – and the fact that I had a great parking space near where we had eaten – the only feasible option for us to get there would be the….gasp….bus.  Yes, the public bus.  I took my first trip on the DC bus this afternoon.

It was everything I thought it would be.

We picked the bus up at 16th and P and rode the bus to our stop a few blocks up the hill at 16th Street between Columbia and Irving.  A quick walk to the shopping district made the trip quite painless.  Although I do remember riding the metro bus when I was a cop and working overtime to prevent violence that had been spreading on the public transportation system around the city.  Not much of that has been happening lately so I felt comfortable enough to ride this afternoon.

The nice thing about it was the cost.  Two dollars for a round trip ride since we had returned within two hours from the time we first boarded.  The transfer allowed a return ride without charge and made for a very economical means of transportation – no gas, no parking issues, no money needed for a parking meter.  Not bad.

I am proud of myself and often joked in the past that I would never ride the bus.  All it took was a little convincing and a great companion to take along on the journey and I had both today.  I certainly will entertain the option of the metro bus for future in-town transportation needs.

The stores were not as crowded as I thought they would be since it is now Christmas shopping season.  Maybe it was the fact that today is the First Sunday of Advent and everyone was worshipping at their respective churches.  Maybe it was the rain.  Either way, the shopping was nice and we made a few purchases that we had to carry back on the bus…one small inconvenience, but nothing earth shattering.

Back to our original starting point, we decided to grab some coffee and escape the chill and rain for a bit.  Walking into Starbucks, I discovered where the crowds were…it was packed!  As dependant upon caffeine as we both are, we waited in line and eventually got a nice and cozy spot where we could sit and read the paper, talk and people watch.  Very relaxing.

Making my way back home, I enjoyed some wine and cheese I had picked up at Whole Foods, in an attempt to regain some weight.  I lost another 3 pounds recently, making the total lost to-date at 14 pounds.  I have mixed feelings about the weight loss, something I will share maybe at a later time.

So, the rain hitting the windows in the sitting room where I am resting, wine poured and cheese prepped for snacking, I begin the quiet evening alone with my book and rest up for another work week that will usher in the month of December.

December…yikes!