And So Begins the Madness

After a family photo by the front steps, Erica and my good friend Pat Madden took me to the Nashville Greyhound station. 
It was quickly apparent that this was going to be everything I have dreamed of and so much more.  A half dozen port-a-lets lined the parking lot.  I went into the indoor restroom and people were bathing in the sink, applying deodorant (thankfully) and shaving.
I made a new friend right away.  His name was Marcus. 

Marcus is from Memphis.  He was taking the Greyhound back home after a successful week of work in Nashville.  He sells pre-paid photo packages for Olan Mills.  Marcus is also an authority on the Greyhound bus.  He told me that I am going to meet "all sorts of characters" and that I was clinically insane for willfully choosing to ride this vessel for 30 days.  He said, "you'll see it all.  One time, in Memphis I saw a dude get arrested.  They brought the dogs in and they sniffed out his duffel.  It was full of drugs.  I've seen people get kicked off for drinking.  One time, there was like 5 of us on the bus, and I saw these two girls and two dudes go the back of the bus and they started doing it.  The bus driver wasn't paying any attention 'cause it was stormin' out.  He was watchin' the road."

Marcus gave me some guidance on when and where to put my bag to save my spot in line.  He wished me well and posed for the photo.

After an hour delay, our bus finally rolled in from Memphis.  I got that same excited feeling I had when I took my first school bus ride in the 2nd grade.  Will I make new friends?  Will people like me?  Where is the best place to sit?

Here's a photo of me in front of the liner on my maiden voyage:

The novelty wore off about 20 miles west of Nashville, before we got to Lebanon.  There was a bad accident and some cars were spun around in the median.  Everyone on the bus pressed their noses against the window to get a good view.  We made it to Cookeville about an hour and a half late.  We dropped off two people and picked up one.   It's like a rolling progressive dinner.  The dinner guests just change.  I have abandonment issues, so this will be a challenge.  I will try not to get too attached to any of my fellow passengers so as to save me from undue heartache.