Moving on to Budapest with Tram #2 which travels on the Pest side along the Danube… . . . . #tram #masstransit #transit #budapest #hungary #budapesthungary #budapesttravel #travel #mytravels #travelphotography (at Budapest, Hungary) https://www.instagram.com/p/CARdbUQH_qc/?igshid=5z5haj9gvnzn
As the clouds part, your direction in the heavens will become clearer.
Don’t lose hope or let frustration destroy the progress you have made, you are moving into a closer state of balance with the whole Universe…Closer and closer with clearer sight to the mirror image of Who you were always supposed to be. - Cherry
So I’ve been studying planetary hours for a while now and I’ve noticed something. The day and the hour that you were born on, that’s something you have to focus more on throughout yourself (rulership). Take me for example. I was born on Saturn day (Saturday) during the Saturn hour. Saturn rules discipline, structure, and overall grounding yourself. With me being born during Saturn hour, that applies as well. I do have trouble staying grounded and focused because I’m always creating fantasies for myself and my future, although it does come to fruition (Pisces Jupiter and Venus natal), but struggling to put the action behind it because I’m afraid of failure, it causes me to delay myself, Saturn rules delays as well. I could be wrong, but that’s something that I picked up on. You can look up your planetary days and hour that you were born on using regular planetary hours along with your regular birthday and birth time using any planetary calculator. I personally use time nomad. That is the most versatile astrology app.
After 10 years as a band, Transithavedecided to call it a day. They will be playing their final shows on the east coast in April, with the final show in Boston on April 26th. Check out their statement and the final show dates after the jump.
I’ve had my share of awful transit stories – missed flights in the Arabian Gulf, buses taking 36 rather than 24 hours in Africa, sitting for three hours in between two obese men on a small car seat in India, and the infamous never-ending saga of getting into and out of Angel Falls. However, I never quite broke down like I did this past weekend in Northern Italy.
The trip had a foundation of mistaken itineraries and so I shouldn’t have been too surprised at what would end up happening. You see, I had to be in Austria for a week of work training, but some colleagues and I decided to go to Venice and Ljubljana for a few days before it. So, I emailed my travel team and said, “Please book me Abu Dhabi to Venice and then Munich to Abu Dhabi” and I gave them specific flight times and numbers. They responded saying “attached is itinerary as requested, booked but not issued, please confirm for issuance.” I of course responded “Get it!”.
Only about a month later did I realize that they had accidentally booked Abu Dhabi to Venice and then Venice to Abu Dhabi… and I didn’t correct it.
I tell myself that I’ll get it changed later and I take off for the first flights out: Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam to Venice. I have a short layover in Amsterdam so I run through the airport and am lucky to make it to the gate 20 mins before it closes. However, my boarding pass won’t work.
Confused, I ask, “What’s wrong?” and they respond “We thought you wouldn’t make your connection so we changed your ticket.” Flabbergasted I demand “But I did make it- let me on…” “Oh but your baggage won’t- that’s why…” “I’m ONLY carrying on!!!”
And so it continues as I glare unendingly at this not-too-understanding KLM representative. She explains that they’ve rebooked me on a plane nine hours later… but that I can maybe get on the back of the waitlist of one earlier. No, even though it was their fault for pre-maturely rebooking me, I can’t get priority on the earlier one. I sulk away- with my angrily demanded €10 for food and drink and €50 voucher for future flights (which are so hard to use I know I never will), and quickly spend the money on a beer and a sandwich- at 8:30am.
I do end up getting on the earlier flight via waitlist- some Nigerian guy brought his bag to the gate with his friend but then disappeared. The friend put up a fight for the plane to wait- but it didn’t- so I took his seat. I could only imagine him sitting on the toilet not knowing how late he was. One man’s mistake is another man’s opportunity I guess! (As you will see, karma later ate me for this thought) Remember, getting to Europe was not the purpose of this story – though frustrating, it compares only mildly to what happened when I tried to leave.
At the beginning of training I email the travel team asking them how much it would cost to switch my flight out as the faculty had told me it was fine to charge the change, since it wasn’t fully my fault. However… it was impossible. Because my departure flights had been rebooked, I could not change the return ones- even though the rebooking was against my will. The travel team would have to contact the airline directly to change it, and once they did so, they informed me it would cost over a thousand dollars- much too much for the training to pay.
Realizing that my training ended in Kitzbuhel on Friday at 12:15 and my flight back to the Emirates left Venice on Saturday at 5:45, I thought to myself “What is an obsessive journeyer like me supposed to do with these 30 hours?” Answer: Go to San Marino, of course, the tiny mountain nation located within Italy (notice I didn’t write “mountainous” as San Marino is literally just one mountain).
My reasoning for this was that Austria to San Marino was 7 hours and Austria to Venice was also 7 hours. So why not go somewhere new? Of course, then getting from San Marino to Venice would be 3-4 more hours on Saturday, but hey- I had nothing better to do and I love nothing more than sitting in a train or bus and watching the scenery go by (keep in mind here that at night you can’t see this scenery so train / bus travel becomes significantly less exciting).
When training ended promptly at 12:15pm, I quickly grabbed my bags to get to the waiting car. I had to get to the train station in Innsbruck before the train left 1hr and 15 mins later. The drive takes 1hr and 5mins. I jump in the car and say “let’s go!” The seemingly kind (to everyone but me in my hectic state) said that no, someone else had joined my itinerary once they heard there was a car going to Innsbruck- we had to wait.
Seven minutes pass before we see the other passenger. Who might it be? The girl I shamelessly hit on at the drunken dance last night, of course. But not the normal, “hey, you wanna dance?” More like the kind of hit on where no less than nine of your friends act as wingmen /women, getting others away from her (not always peacefully), creating diversions of jealousy, and bringing the both of you drinks (remember we’re strategy consultants- we problem solve everything)… only to find out that she has a boyfriend hours later.
I mutter some rude things under my breath for her tardiness and how I will now miss the train and must take a later one (arriving at 10pm rather than 7pm). I call the B&B I’ve booked in San Marino and inform them that I’ll be late and to please stay up. They say it will be fine- and we’re off. The conversation was humorous and candid- unpacking all the events of last night: why all my friends got involved, how it was completely unknown she had a boyfriend, and ending friendly.
Then, the driver (who probably thought we were insane) announced that we might just make it in time! He had been going through these curvy mountain roads at a pace that made the both of us question our choice of filling our stomachs with only liquid poison the night before. We arrive with a few minutes to spare, I run through the station and make it on the train! Success! I will be in San Marino for dinner! Or so I thought…
A few calm and beautiful hours later I arrive in Verona- my first connection. I have some time, so I go and charge my devices, buy some headphones, and grab a Panini. I look at the board which says the 11:50 departure is from Platform 12. I make my way there, wait twenty minutes and then board the train that will take me to my next stop (and my father’s birth place) Bologna.
An hour into the ride, when we should be nearing Bologna, I get up from my seat, push through the crowded aisle and stand by the door. But Bologna doesn’t come when it should. Instead, “Ala” does. I know something is wrong- I pull out my phone’s GPS and it says I’m way too North. “Hmmm, stupid Blackberry” I think to myself before seeing that the next stop is “Trento.” I am DEFINITELY not on the right train.
In a daze I jump off at Trento, run to the departures board and see that there is another train going to Bologna from there…but it is a slow regional one, and won’t even arrive until 10:25. From Bologna I still have to get to Rimini (another hour) and then take a cab to San Marino (25 mins.) If I’m lucky, I’ll be at the B&B at midnight.
I’m physically tired (no sleep the night before), mentally exhausted (intense training and lots of travel), and sad (after a week of constant team camaraderie, I’m alone) and I don’t know what to do. I weigh my options of just taking a hotel in Trento vs trying to make it to San Marino. Reasons to stay: I’m exhausted and with new tickets and hotel room- it may be more expensive. Plus I know of no hotels and can’t find any quickly online. Reasons to go: New place, I’m young and can handle tiredness, I already have the hotel booked.
I do what I’ve come to do best- sit down on the train to Bologna and passively (through indecision) decide to go to San Marino.
In addition to the map feature, the best part about having a business phone while traveling is global data access. I message my sisters with my predicament and get some good encouragement that at least puts a small smile on my shocked face and makes me feel less isolated. Then, as I sit, close to exhausted tears, an older woman places herself down next to me and asks where the train is going – I answer in my best Italian- and we’re off. I try to sleep, and though she is humming a sweet lullaby (like a little angel sent to me)- I’m too upset realizing I’ll be at least 5 hours late.
When the train gets to my original place of mistake, Verona, it stops- there is a 90 minute wait before it will depart (hence the 5 hours delay even though I only went 1 hour out of my way). I go to the train schedule to see my mistake- and there it is, the ONLY time in the entire day when two trains depart at the exact same minute from Verona (in the exact opposite direction) was the time I needed to be more attentive.
Oh well- here I am. I call the B&B again to say I’ll be in at midnight and she says it’s fine- informs me on how to get into the place, that her old father will be awake, and that the taxi will cost about €25-30. I think that €1 per minute sounds obnoxious- but whatever, I’ve missed the buses. When the slow regional train once again moves away from Verona- I’m excited to at least be on my way. An hour later, I arrive in Bologna- having only 5 mins to find my way to Platform 3. Luckily- I arrive on Platform 2! So all I have to do is walk down the Platform to where I see the train at the end.
When I get there, I push to open the door- but nothing happens… I try again- but still nothing. I move to another carriage, and it also won’t budge. Frantically I look up, searching for any sign of hope- but only despair comes. Bologna has two Platform 3s- one East and one West. I run, but I can’t make it- I see my train leave me (not only the station)- and begin to wait the 35 minutes for the next one.
By then, I’ve accepted my fate- knowing I will now arrive at 1am- really hoping that old man isn’t staying up only for me. I get on the train to Rimini, remember nothing of it, and then get off and quickly find a cab. I tell him “San Marino” and show him a photo of a map I’ve taken on my Iphone- and one final time for the night, I’m off!
Soon however, I begin to get worried. The taxi meter is rising much faster than would make sense for a €25 euro ride that takes 25 minutes… by the time we cross the little border (just a small sign, not even a line on the road) it is already at €40. “Okay, we’ll be there soon” I tell myself- not realizing that we still have to zig-zag up the mountain, as I had booked a room in the Old City Center. When the meter hits €50 though, I start to get worried, I pull out my wallet and see €65… I really hope we’re close.
When we finally arrive- the ride cost €63 (nearly $90). I’m shocked by the event, but not it’s placement in this awful day- and am just ready to be in my bed. The cab driver kindly spends 5 minutes trying to find the way into the B&B before the old man comes out. I check in, carry my bag up two flights of stairs, and pass out in a bed that I might normally be a bit fussy about. However, I was too happy to finally have arrived and looking forward to the next morning in this quaint little nation.
Does the story end here? No- not really. When I wake up the next morning I go and have the second “B” in this B&B arrangement- as was the first, this was quite average- tea with corn bread, sweet cake, and a croissant. It’s like they weren’t sure which bread option I preferred and decided to give me them all. I then stroll to the tourist center which was only a minute away as I want both to know when the bus leaves (I was told “regularly”) and to get a visa stamp (even though it’s Schengen area, you can get your passport stamped for €5- why not?).
The lady at the center may have been surprised I didn’t react more when she told me that on weekends the buses are “less regular” perhaps “infrequent” even and that I had only 90 minutes to catch the next one, and only one that would get me to my flight in Venice on time. But rolling with the punches, I got directions to where it left, asked what I could see on the way, and headed back to the hotel to grab my bag.
Inquisitive as to why I was leaving so early, the old man kindly checked me out and pointed me on my way. I had about an hour for a 25 minute walk, so I went slowly, taking pictures, finding a postcard (only one place sold them!) to send to my niece, and making quick observations on the way this strange but nice place functions. Maybe I’ll return one day- for more than a rest and a stroll, but if not- I do feel like I got my San Marino experience, and I quite enjoyed it.
After making it to the bus, the rest of the journey all the way back to Abu Dhabi is without note. A beautiful bus ride through literally all of San Marino, a couple easy trains, some pasta in the airport, status lounge Bloody Mary in Amsterdam, watching Frozen on the plane, and some traffic on arrival in the Emirates are the few blips I can recall. And now, I’m sitting comfortably on my recliner – taking a little break from work as my boss for the week reviews the document I’ve sent him.
You see, it’s crazy to think of the dynamic nature of comfort, and even crazier to think of how it is mentally controlled and sometimes chosen as an externality of other priorities. When I first knew I missed that train and found out I had 5 (who knew 6) hours left of my journey, I might have felt like those hours would be eternity- never imaging how I would happily be writing about them now. Nor did I fully know that my sister’s kind encouragement or that stranger’s soft lullaby would make the discomfort bearable. Even more, would I have picked to go to San Marino if I knew it would take 13 hours? Of course not, but once it did – I was fine, and it still felt worth it.
You never know how hard you’ll have to work for things in life, you don’t know who will help you or what will stand in your path, and you can certainly never imagine what you’ll give up or gain on the way. What you can do, is to appreciate whoever and whatever comes along and be thankful for the planned and unplanned lessons and experience that life offers you.
Sunny bus selfie. Yesterday as I boarded there were already two strollers in the priority zone (there are two on Vancouver buses accommodating one wheelchair user and one stroller at a time - better than most cities).
The bus driver obviously had to ask them to move because wheelchair users have priority (strollers are supposed to be folded up at this point). Of course the ladies didn’t want to remove their toddlers and fold up their strollers so they made it awkward for everyone but the worst part of it was for me - everyone involved referred to ME as ‘the wheelchair’. I am a damn person.
They all also spoke as if I wasn’t even there (which not surprising given that I’m referred to as an object). And here’s the thing - I know it could have been far far worse - in Britain for example there’s a stand off between wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs (strollers) even though the Supreme Court has actually ruled in wheelchair user’s favor (of course! We don’t have a choice in the space we take up and our need for that space is fundamental to our existence in the community).
So, I know it could have been far worse but it just really sucks being spoken about in this way and never TO. The lady decided she could share my space and didn’t even ask me if I was okay with this. Neither of the mothers looked at me once. You know how that makes me feel? Not just that they like to think I don’t exist but that they’d rather I didn’t exist. That I’m an annoying inconvenience in THEIR day, not the other way around.
I had different problems with using the bus before I used a wheelchair and to be honest they were worse but I just implore everyone to think about how you talk about wheelchair users and just address us! Talk to us like any other human being. We are people and we deserve your decency and humanity.
What to do about Flushing: Regional Rail and Extending the 7 Train
What to do about Flushing: Regional Rail and Extending the 7 Train
This post was written with the Tech Transit Association, a youth run transit organization/club at Brooklyn Technical High School, and with the help of Transit Talk NYC. The organization advocates for better transit in NYC and beyond. The organization’s current project is the 7 train project, and it advocates for better service for commuters who use the 7 train. The TTA is Edward Zheng, Gabriel…
Make no small plans. This Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new subway line connecting the Bronx and Queens.
Map showing the route of the proposed new subway service.
Make no small plans. This Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new subway line connecting the Bronx and Queens.
In her State of the State address in January, Gov Hochul announced plans for a new transit line connecting Brooklyn and Queens, dubbed the Interborough Express. This plan was based on a previous plan by the…
A Tunnel Too Far, Part 1: Staten Island’s Failed Pipe Dream
A Tunnel Too Far, Part 1: Staten Island’s Failed Pipe Dream
In the annals of New York infrastructure history, projects like the 2nd Ave Subway loom large. But while 2nd Ave has progressed, and other projects like an Utica Ave Line or Rockaway Beach Branch get their cans kicked down the road once a generation, one unrealized dream looms like a mountain beyond the horizon: a tunnel to Staten Island.
Staten Island is the southernmost point in both New York…
Introducing the QueensLink, a new proposal to unite Queens with better subway service and new park space.
The QueensLink in relation to the NYC subway network.
Those who follows me on Twitter (where I am far more active than on this blog, unfortunately) might be aware that I have been talking about a project called QueensLink for some time. Since 2017 I’ve been working with QueensRail, a 501c3 not-for-profit which has advocated restoring service on the abandoned Rockaway Beach Branch in central…
The Future of the 2nd Ave Subway: A Bronx Tail Track
The Future of the 2nd Ave Subway: A Bronx Tail Track. Do we even need to extend the 2nd Ave Subway into the Bronx?
Overview of 2nd Ave Subway Phase 2.
Phase 2 of the 2nd Ave Subway has been in the news recently as President Biden proposed a $2 trillion infrastructure bill. Senate Majority Leader Schumer has pushed for funding Phase 2 of 2nd Ave so it’s very possible that, if funding arrives by the end of the year, construction can start soon (at least preliminary work since Covid is still slowing down the…
A detailed look at every official subway expansion proposal from 1929 until the present.
IND Second System Track Map. Click for PDF.
Quick Index
How to read this mapBackground
2nd Ave SubwaySouth 4th SubwayUtica Ave SubwayNostrand Ave LineMyrtle-Central Aves Trunk LineRockaway Branch and Winfield Spur3rd Ave El Replacement9th Ave El ConnectionVan Wyck Blvd Line and Archer Ave LinesIND Fulton St Line ExtensionIND Ft Hamilton Line and Staten Island TunnelFlushing Line ExtensionsLong…
*Check your transit chart to see what houses your natal planets are in right now and bear in mind that aspects and signs will affect this.
Moon transiting through the 1st House - You will feel and appear more emotional than usual. Emotions may be slightly harder to control and you could be feeling more confident during this transit. Be careful not to act on impulse during this time and make sure you think before you act. This is a great time to get a lot off your chest and this transit will also give you the motivation to get things done, especially anything you feel strongly about. If you have harsh aspects to your transit moon, be careful that you don’t lose control of your emotions and act in ways that you will later regret.
Moon transiting through the 2nd House - You will be thinking more about your income and job, shopping for materialistic items and anything that could comfort you in some way. This is a great time to buy some new items, practice your talents and focus on your job. Be aware that harsh aspects could make you more impulsive with spending right now so make sure you won’t regret your spending spree later. Singing and delving deep into your talents will be a great way to balance your emotions right now. You may be more emotional about your job and income right now so take it easy. Taking a bubble bath with some scented candles might be a good idea right now. Anything that stimulates the senses or that comforts you may be of interest to you right now and is a great way to relieve emotional stress.
Moon transiting through the 3rd House - Your mind will be quicker than usual. You may find yourself thinking about different topics or you may have a thirst for knowledge during this transit. This is a great time to learn something new and do some research. Taking short trips might help you to relieve any emotional buildup you might be experiencing. This is a good time to connect with siblings and you might feel closer to your siblings and maybe cousins during this time.
Moon transiting through the 4th house - You will want to stay at home during this transit. Emotions could be heightened and you could find yourself thinking more about your family. You might feel closer with your mother right now and you will feel more empathetic and sensitive to the needs of her, as well as your family. You might feel more emotional in family settings. This is a great time to spend time with your mother and your family as it is a great time to strengthen your bond with them. This is also a great time to complete any plans associated with the home as you feel closer to matters of the home during this time. You may feel like exploring your heritage and roots during this time, and feel more emotionally connected to your ancestors. Harsh aspects to transit moon can cause problems within the home and emotions towards the family and mother.
Moon transiting through the 5th house - You will feel more creative during this transit. You will be more involved in your hobbies and possibly even children. You could be thinking about having children especially if you are in a relationship and you may be more emotionally involved in your love interests during this time. This is a great time to get started on a creative project, start a new hobby or do something fun. You be a little bit more dramatic in your emotional displays, especially if you have natal moon in leo or have aspects to natal 5th house planets, so be careful not to overdo it.
Moon transiting the 6th house - You will want to get stuff done and work will be something that you will be thinking about more during this transit. You will be feeling closer towards your pets during this time as well as co-workers. You will be thinking more about your health during this time and problems with your emotional health are more likely. Health problems are also more likely to come to the surface. You could be more health conscious right now, sensitive to anything that may be affecting it. Meditation, exercise and healthy eating is a great way to keep your mental and physical health in check and make sure you pace yourself! This is also a great time to get work done.
Moon transiting the 7th House - You will be thinking and feeling more in your one-on-one relationships with others. You will be more sensitive to any problems in your relationships. You may feel the need to be in a relationship or find yourself starting to feel emotionally involved in any new relationships. Confrontations with enemies may come up.
Moon transiting the 8th House - You may feel more emotional and sensitive during this time. You may find yourself being more interested in taboo subjects such as sex and death, or you may even be more sensitive about these topics. You may feel even closer to the people you have strong emotional ties to and this is a great time to be intimate with others right now. This may be a time where you’re more likely to be given an inheritance or if you aren’t careful debts (check for harsh aspects). This may be a time where you can borrow money from somebody, even if this isn’t the case shared-finances may come up more. You may feel more psychic during this time and have the ability to enter parts of your mind that you can’t usually. You may feel slightly moodier and more solitary, or you may come across this way to others and even though sex and deep connection and intimacy is more likely it’s not always the case.
Moon Transiting the 9th House - You are more likely to be more interested or involved in politics and religion. You may be more interested in travelling and you may feel like booking a holiday during this time. Interactions with foreigners are more likely and you may find yourself more interested in different cultures or spiritual practises. You may feel closer to your religion, or maybe you will find yourself more active in this area during this time.
Moon in the 10th House - You will start to care more about your public image and career during this transit. Expect interactions with your father, or anything associated with your father to come to light, especially when it comes your emotions. You may start to be more interested in others with a good career or public image or maybe your public image and career may cause you some emotional issues. You will be able to focus more on improving your public image or career during this time, although harsh aspects could cause your emotions to get in the way of this.
Moon In the 11th House - You may be thinking about your friends more than usual. You may think about being a part of a group or organisation. You may feel really strongly about a certain cause and you may feel the need to speak up about certain problems in the world. Hopes, wishes and dreams may be intensified and your emotions may help you to be more motivated to achieve your goals. This is a great time to speak up about something that you feel strongly about and to make a change in the world.
Moon in the 12th House - This tends to be a time when any emotional problems you’ve been facing will hit you like a truck, especially with harsh aspects. You will be more likely to try and keep your emotions hidden during this time and you may be more creative. For some you may feel more fearful and scared during this transit and others will feel like they are stronger emotionally. You will feel a lot more sensitive to the feelings of others and you may also feel more sensitive emotionally during this time. This is a great time to write your thoughts and feelings down in a diary, spend some quality time to yourself, play music, practise self love and one of the best of all with this transit is to delve into your creativity. You may find ways to explore the subconscious mind, delving deep into your emotions.
Uk. My dearest uk. Aside from the obvious, what kind of time warp nonsense make 927 miles take 27 hours? Is it the boat ride? Is it the lack of interstates? Is it the speed limits?
Well, a part of it is the twelve and a half hour ferry between Aberdeen and Lerwick on your way to Twatt (~14 hours from Cock Bridge to Twatt on Shetland, which is ridiculous, there’s a Twatt on Orkney too and that’s only 6 hours).
Shitterton to Cock Bridge, via those other places is only 13 hours, and that’s an average speed of 50mph so like, not fantastic but not bad when you consider having to divert into Chesterfield for Cock Alley and right through the centre of Edinburgh for Dick Place
I appreciate both you and @youllbeokanyway taking the time to answer my very confused I-just-woke-up question. I didn’t really think anyone would and I’d just be left confused lol. :D
Can confirm @youllbeokanyway is also correct that the UK is very silly and you’re welcome.
