I flew into New York today.

I then bought a shuttle bus ticket to my mom's place. As I waited to board, the driver helped two old women with their bags.

An Indian man with a thick accent (who seemed lost, like most tourists) was in front of the bus door. A crowd of people formed around him and the door, and he looked uncertain. I guessed that he didn't know whether to board, or wait for the driver to take his ticket first.

Sure enough, as the driver struggled with a huge flowery-scented suitcase, the man asked him if the driver would take his ticket, or if he should board.

Driver: Excuse me, I'm helping the ladies!
Man: Oh... uh... please... what should I do?
[glancing nervously at the press of people behind him, who were now all staring at him]
Driver: You should wait! If you were a gentleman, you'd wait for your turn!
[the driver's voice steadily grew in volume as he said this.]
Man: Um... I only-
[the man looked alarmed and embarrassed]
Driver: Just get on the bus.
[said with disgust]
Old Ladies: Well!
[laughing and jeering at the flustered man as he turned and boarded the bus]
Driver: Some people.
Me: I don't think he meant to be rude. He was only confused about the tickets.
[said very politely, of course]
Old Ladies: Whatever.
Driver: *grunt*

I mean, really! They were all so rude about etiquette. :-P :-D
---------

Right now, I'm with family in Pennsylvania. After so long in Colorado, Pennsylvania feels like a tropical rain forest. There's so much plantlife! Where I live is basically a desert, except for what people have planted, some scrubby little plants, and tumbleweeds. To see vines and flowers and deciduous trees just spilling over everything is such a relief.

Also, it feels good to be back at the bottom of this ocean of air. I can walk up flight after flight of stairs, run to catch the bus, even get out of bed without losing my breath. Despite five hours of cardio exercise every week, in Colorado, I still can't walk down to the grocery store without having to stop for breath.

--Jez"altitude adjustment"zika