Mind you, a couple of times this has back-fired because I've ended up on buses that just do a circuit around the town - I call them "samsara" buses and avoid them when I can. When I do finally get on a bus that takes me out of town I have to make sure I have what I call my "three jewels" with me - bus timetable, sandwiches to eat before noon, and my precious "Isle of Wight Loo Guide" as you never know when you might be taken short. Then I just settle back and just see what happens.
Observing fellow passengers is always interesting (the fact that I'm nosey helps) and sometimes I get the opportunity to chat to them about life, the universe and everything. But mostly I seem to spend time listening to endless mobile phone conversations that begin with "I'm on the bus....". And I also watch the incessant texting (oh the joys of the opposable thumb). I sometimes wonder how we might share Sid Arthur's teachings if he had been born today - and "Thus I have texted..." comes to mind. Still, I do get some respite from all of this as my main practice is "power napping" and so I do nod off occassionally if I feel in need of an empowering sleep and a snoring mantra.
So, tudong or not tudong, that's the question ? Well, for me it isn't a question I need to address. I think what this has taught me is that I don't really need to go anywhere else because wherever I go, I'll still be in the same place - right here.
