fellow US orgers, your assistance is needed. our dear Natisse is planning a little foray into our neck of the woods. she is planning on bus travel across the country, and i'm worried for her. i've never actually travelled on a bus. (at least, not since i was 5, and i was with my mom then. and well, times have changed.)

so, travelling from a big city (like LA) how safe is it? should she be worried? should she buy mace? should she take some karate lessons? do you have any advice for our aussie friend?? please, she needs your help! put your bus stories here! give advice!! this is important!!

title edit.
[Edited 10/28/04 21:50pm]

It would be better if someone on this org met her there. It is scary travelling alone..

You're such a sweetie thank you for this! it will be very interesting to hear what people have to say

Natisse said:

i was seriously worried when i saw that post. i thought "she probably has no idea what she might be getting into!" just be safe. we don't need an org funeral.

fantasyislander said:

oh no don't think like that!! I hope it's not seriously that unsafe...I actually enjoy the journeys and travelling

I've had varying experiences, from good to heinous.

Nikster said:

yeah? cool...at least there was some good in there

Natisse said:

Yeah...when I went up to canada, all was well. Last June when I went up to Wisconsin to see my family the trip up there went just fine The trip back....eehhhh....not so much. First off, I missed the bus (cuz they gave me the wrong time) and then when I finally got on the bus, the 12 hour trip ended up lasting almost 20...*ugh*


If you *do* take the bus, make sure you schedule stuff to accomodate potential bus-related boo-boo's, than you should be ok.

Nikster said:

oooooh that's not good...is it a common occurance with greyhound, then, to give out wrong times? our buses here are always late too

luv4u said:

yes that would be ideal but we'll see what happens closer to it...nothings definate yet

Natisse said:

althom said:

oh yeah? well i in your general direction.

fantasyislander said:

althom said:

lethal, ain't it.


and you thought you had to worry about milty.

Nat...the bus isn't really a good idea for someone who is travelling on her own for the first time in the US.
If I were you...I'd look into the train.


http://www.amtrak.com


It's a little more expensive, but much safer.

applekisses said:

is it really? cool...OK I'll look into that too thank you!!

applekisses said:

i have travelled on the train. there are plenty of conductors around, always someone there. would be a lot harder for something nasty to happen. but the ones between chicago and NY are pretty dirty. i wouldn't plan on going to the bathroom if i were you.

fantasyislander said:

so, travelling from a big city (like LA) how safe is it? as long as she doesn't look anyone in the eye or wear blue or red colours....then she's fine!
should she be worried? If I was her...I'd take my laptop and stay on the org the whole trip!
should she buy mace? is that some kinky bra thing?
should she take some karate lessons? Just aim for the balls Nat.....that's probably how far you can reach anyway.
do you have any advice for our aussie friend??

Natisse said:

You're welcome

Natisse said:

check out their weekly specials. i went from chicago to NY for $27 one way. but they're not on sale all the time. and you can only buy a one way ticket, on only one line. so if you're going to multiple destinations it can get complicated.

fantasyislander said:

OK cool...and AMTRAK are pretty good are they?

fantasyislander said:

Yeah, the ones between Detroit and New York are pretty yucky too. The best trains I've been on have been in Canada

Natisse said:

Yep...that's the main passenger train line in the US. I've taken trains that were also very, very nice. They have sleeper cars as well

OH! Here's a 10 percent off deal!


http://www.amtrak.com/ser...3&ssid=224

HEY!!!!!

I offord some advice up above and everyone just ignored it!

Natisse said:

i just checked amtrak.com, and you can go from LA to flagstaff (then you'd have to take the bus, but not very far) for $29. the trick to the weekly specials is that you can't buy too far ahead of time, and you have to know which train you want and where you want to get depart, etc. if you need any help with it i can try sometime. i'm gonna have to go to bed now.

Isn't there someone to go with you Tisse? I don't like the idea of you travelling alone....

fantasyislander said:

WOAH...that's awesome!

althom said: