When I first moved to Atlanta, almost everyone I met told me how sketchy & unsafe Marta is. I frequently heard Marta’s not smarta. After riding it myself, I came to the conclusion that it was super nice. It’s clean, well lit and you see Marta police at pretty much every stop. I guess it’s all relative. I mean I know it’s not the nicest in the world but after backpacking through Eastern Europe, it sure did seem awfully nice to me!
Since I started working, I’ve been taking Marta to and from work each day. It was hands down the best decision I ever made. Most people ride with headphones in listening to something to keep themselves entertained for their commute. But not me. People watching is one of my favorite pastimes and there are just too many interesting people for me to watch. I get a solid 45 minutes of entertainment to and from work 5 days a week. It is pure joy!
It’s amazing what kind of people you see and meet on Marta. I’ve met that person who tells you all their problems in the first 5 minutes and that person who keeps you from sitting in spilled coffee you didn’t notice. I’ve seen the guy who sells stuff out of a trash bag once he has checked the car for police and the guy who sleeps on your shoulder (thankfully I haven’t met this one yet).
I’ve seen the guy with a bike running from car to car trying to find one with enough room for him and his bike. I’ve even seen a guy get loaded onto a stretcher and taken off Marta. I’ve seen the drug dogs make their rounds with the K-9 unit.
I’ve seen plenty of people who pretend you aren’t sitting next to them or who stare at you. I’ve met people who will yell for others to move so you can squeeze through the overcrowded car to get off at your stop and people who give up their seat for you. I’ve even met THAT person who loses their balance and falls into your lap (and who also happened to 3x my size).
But the funniest thing I’ve encountered happened this past week. But first, I must remind you of one of the most random sites I saw on a bus in Albania where things can get pretty crazy. The time when a lady brought her own chair – her own hard backed dining room chair on the always overcrowded bus and sat in it. That is still one of the most random sites I’ve seen.
But this past week, I was coming home on Marta, people watching my little heart out when low and behold a lady gets on – with a chair. I’m really torn now. I’m not sure which is better – to bring a formal dining room chair and sit in it or a folding chair and not sit in it.
I Think she’s going to a bring your own chair Christmas party…you shoulda asked her!!! Thanks for the entertainment. I too have ridden the MARTA many times. Had a couple scary times. The key is to act crazier than they do. Mumble things to yourself and spit every once in a while