Bus Trip, Day Trip

Recently, I went on a charter bus trip. The charter bus trips I have gone on involve booking a pre-planned trip with a charter bus company. I have gone on various trips. These have included going to sports games, Broadway shows, and more recently- a cross country trip. When I go on these trips I consistently am the youngest person on the trip. I don’t mind this (I work at a nursing home- so old people are my jam.) But I don’t really understand this. Therefore I have created a list.

Six reasons why bus trips are great:

1. You don’t have to drive. This may seems obvious but I think it is overlooked frequently. I don’t really like driving, so this is a real positive for me. Also, our generation (the millenials, or twenty-somethings, or whatever you want to call us) is driving less.

2. You can watch movies. I know, I know “I can watch movies on my phone.” True- but can you safely do that while driving? I don’t think so. Plus, if you bring along your own movie that is relevant to the trip you are going on, there is a better chance it will get played. This is a way to guarantee you like the movie that is showing. And if you don’t , you can always watch Netflix on your phone. AND added bonus, there are outlets to keep your phone charged on the bus.

3. There is a bathroom on the bus. This may sound gross and not like a positive but hear me out. If you aren’t driving (reason #1), you can drink. I suggest you don’t drink to excess; you do still have to find the bus after all. But you can drink, and if you break the seal, you will definitely see that bathroom as a positive.

4. They take you right to the door. This is so great, you don’t have to deal with parking, and you can be lazy af. This service is especially great after a long sports game, ahem baseball, or if it’s late at night, like after a show.

5. You can make new friends. Like I said, I am typically the youngest person on these trips. But that’s kind of great. You can learn so much from previous generations. Sometimes you remind these people of their kids or grandkids and that makes them feel great, so it’s a win-win.

6. You can play games! On almost every trip I have gone on, we played games on the bus. This is a good way to pass time, plus you can win prizes. Some games I have played include bingo, two truths and a lie, trivia games, and guessing games. I have even won some prizes (like gift certificate type money towards future trips.)

On the other hand, I do get some of the negatives as well. Three reasons why they suck:

1. You have to get up early af. For example, the trip I went on the other day was to a Cubs Cards game. The game was at 12:45pm and my pick up time was at 7:00am. I am not a morning person, so this is a negative for me. If you are a morning person, just put this as positive reason number 7 for you!

2. You don’t get to choose where you stop. Most of the time the companies are good and try to stop at areas that have multiple options. Like they will stop at an area that has a Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Long John Silver’s, and Taco Bell, but sometimes this isn’t an option. Sometimes you have McDonald’s three times a day. The other downside is if you have dietary restrictions, this might be an added challenge for you.

3. You don’t choose when you leave the event/it could get cancelled. Every trip I have gone on the plan was to stay the entire length of the event. However, this week the game was cancelled. So we got to the ballpark, we found out it was cancelled, and we came home. There was another bus from the same company that was able to stay longer, and enjoy some other activities since the game was cancelled. This would have been more enjoyable, but was not our option. Maybe next time!

In the end the choice is yours, this is America after all. You have the right to choose, at least for now. Stay cool, keep traveling. Follow my crazy, hectic, amazing life. Love, Kari

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