Written by Our prompt today of public transportation took me back in time to the very first kind I ever experienced. Riding on a school bus was a way to travel to school, of course, but it was also a way to experience travel in the form of a field trip. This was when you got to leave school with incredibly brave teachers who decided to take on the awesome responsibility of escorting a large group of little kids through various public spaces. There are many bits about grade school itself that have escaped my memory, but I remember almost every field trip. It was so much fun to travel away from the classroom and experience new places. I’ve never really enjoyed a classroom setting and always got a bit fidgety most of the time. The explorer in me didn’t like sitting still that long and the rebel in me didn’t like being told what to do next. So, a field trip was a real gift where I could wander, observe and learn in my own unique way. We’d travel to museums and these were always my favorite. It was so much fun to learn about different cultures and stories from the past. Each time I see a school bus today, it takes me back to those memories.
What strikes me today is that all of those field trips from my youth took place in the same city I was living in. So many times, Philippe and I chat about all of the places we’d like to go next, but I have to stop and ask myself if we’ve truly explored our own city fully. I’ve taken him to see many of the places I enjoy, but there are still places that I haven’t been to since I was a kid. There’s a term called “staycation” that was apparently coined in 2005 by a Canadian comedian. This refers to enjoying a vacation while only doing things that can be done within a close driving distance from your own home, without the need for a hotel and overnight stay. Since Philippe and I prefer to be at home most all of the time, it’s got me thinking that we should start to plan a few field trips in the future. Something unusual and unique to mix things up a bit. As we dream of exotic locations, it’s actually quite possible to experience something entirely new by simply taking a different route to work or setting out on a short road trip. A chance to see things that are normally skipped over in that attempt to see something one thinks must certainly be much more grand.
Though I may have been fidgety when trapped in a classroom setting, in truth, I’m rather easily amused. It really doesn’t take very much to ignite my enthusiasm or imagination. I just love seeing things that are new to me in the moment and getting to enjoy something that’s just a bit different than the usual fare. As artists, I think it’s important to walk a different path whenever possible. There are amazing things to discover around every corner. As I get older, I find myself falling into various bits of routine. I no longer have teachers taking me on field trips, so it’s up to me to create those moments. Simple little journeys that don’t cost a lot of money or take a lot of effort. Just a willingness to pause that comfortable routine for a moment and try something a bit new. As a child, doing so would always require a permission slip. But I realize now, that as an adult, I still need one. I need to stop and give myself permission to do something that’s not simply the next thing on the to-do list. Something fun and random that shakes life up a bit and makes each little moment even more special, like those remarkable times I enjoyed during my school bus days.
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Wonderful perspective and realism on the school bus! I want to jump aboard and go on a field trip – I have fond memories of those, too.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕hehe… yeah…. field trips were the best!
Hubby and I are quite fond of the Staycation. You avoid most of the stress of fighting crowds, dealing with public transportation and it’s a heck of a lot cheaper. What’s not to love? I’m impressed with your school bus. I’m afraid to try vehicles – too many sharp corners!
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕Yeah, Staycations are awesome! And vehicles are actually pretty simple to sketch. I find sharp corners fair easier than fluid organic things. Probably why I sketch glass more than flowers! hehe
Nice school bus, Charlie! Gotta love field trips….at any age.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕hehe… yes! I tend to treat every new experience like a field trip even today!
Those rickety old school buses – smelly, torn seats, noisy. But they do encourage diving into the memory bank. You did a great job of painting this one, Charlie – it’s the exact one I rode as a kid. As for travel – I hate driving but I love to explore new places.
We have SO much in common! hehe 😃💕 Are we actually related? I hate driving as well, but new places thrill me. And those buses were sort of rickety… we used to ride and bounce on the farthest back seat… you could sail so high your head almost hit the ceiling! lol
Charlie, you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned “giving yourself permission” to do something. Isn’t it strange that as adults, we truly get so wrapped up in life we forget to do just that. Especially so with the things we love to do, like draw, paint or just sit and read a good book. There is always so much more to do before we even think of realizing life is too short not to give ourselves time to do those things we love. Love your insightful posts, thanks.
So thrilled you enjoyed this post, Patsy! 😃💕 I’m a firm believer that we need to always write ourselves that permission slip as adults. Life is far too short to ever short change ourselves by denying a new grand adventure!
Unfortunately you missed this on Saturday. https://www.visitkc.com/event-detail/giant-puppet-spectacle?cid=32377#sm.0001c7zns8ewdfhpzln2jn82hit22
😂😂😂
hehe! Yeah, I totally missed that or I definitely would have written about it! 😉
my feet was my transport no bus for me .I do remember been fidgety Charlie and always looking through the window the teacher in her wisdom had me facing the opposite way and by her .She called me the child with 10 legs always on the move . love your art work fruitcake anytime . Second place to coffee and donuts .
Thanks so much, Les! 😃💕 hehe… and yay to being fidgety! It’s not so bad. And I actually only took the bus as a very young child. My school was close enough to walk as I got older.
Amazing. A wonderful job on the bus. Field trips were so fun….more fun than in the classroom for sure.
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, I wasn’t much for classroom study… just get me on bus and that’s when the real learning and adventure began!
Amazing story of school bus.
Thanks.
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this!