Tuesday, March 23, 2021

#SOL21 | 23 | Modes of Transportation

I wasn't sure what to slice about at first.  However, when looking for inspiration I found a question about the modes of transport I've used.  I didn't want to just list them, so instead today you are getting three memories related to modes of transportation and one memorable mode of transportation that I don't remember.  Enjoy.

Bicycle 

One of my favorite things to do on bright, sunshine filled days in spring was ride my bike through our neighborhood.  At a young age, we could only ride up and down the street, but as I grew older the rest of the neighborhood opened up to me.  I loved getting to glide down hills and pedal through the parts of the neighborhood under development -- that jolt of going from smooth pavement to rocky terrain was always fun.  

Bus 

My childhood was spent riding a bus back and forth to school.  I didn't particularly care for it, but my favorite seat was over the wheel because it was easier to prop my legs up and read or work on homework.  One time a friend brought a copy of the script from the movie "Scream" and we read it aloud -- everyone taking a part.  Probably not the most appropriate thing for junior high students to be reading, but I still can't hear the line "I'm going to gut you like a fish" without giggling.

Monorail

This means one thing: Disney World.  I have been a number of times and during one of the trips it became a bit of a game to try and say the script along with the speaker, including the Spanish.  "Please stand clear of the doors.  Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas."  My brother and I became so obsessed that it was part of our Christmas gifts that year.  He got a shirt with the monorail Spanish greeting and I got a fantastic pair of Monorail socks.

Hot Air Balloon 

When I was three, I got blown away in a hot air balloon.  They had set up in the empty field across the street from my grandparents and were offering rides.  I was put in the basket with the hot air balloon pilot and what was supposed to be a quick trip up and back down, turned into a mini adventure as the wind picked up and blew us to a different field.  I have no memory of this event, but it's a favorite story of my dad's.  

What modes of transportation stand out for you or what stories come to mind when you think about something as mundane as a car or bicycle?

This post is part of the 14th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge.  

                    #SOL21 and information around Slicing can be found on Two Writing Teachers. 

5 comments:

  1. What a wonderful idea, Erica. I'm going to tuck this away for the future. I guess the one that popped into my head immediately was a shock absorber-free van ride from hell on an unpaved, graded highway in Uganda. Hours on end. They don't believe in paving one, section at a time. They had graded the whole dang road.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hah! That certainly sounds like an interesting story. We spend a lot of time in cars though, so it only makes sense to have a lot of transportation based stories right? I didn't even get into writing about wild car rides in this one -- or the time I threw up all over my dad's back seat.

      Delete
  2. Fishing boat - I will never forget or repeat (because I was so sick) going out on a fishing boat in the open ocean in Hawaii. I spend 7 hours clinging to the rail and throwing up over the side. I was ready to swim to the coast. What a great slice prompt.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such nice, vivid memories you have. I could picture them so clearly with your well chosen details. I imagine you parents were a bit terrified with the hot air ballon ride.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a great slice and each memory is perfectly described, including the one you can't remember! It's a great idea for me to put aside. My most memorable rides would also be in taxis or autorickshaws in India or on a small bike in Vietnam...! People, people, people and traffic all sidestepping each other along the bad roads!

    ReplyDelete