At times life seems complicated. At other times it’s utterly simple. Today was one of those utterly simple days. Let me explain.
In a Manhattan taxi on the way to the corner of Canal and Bowery Streets to get the 11:00 am Fung Wah bus, I reach for the bottle of just purchased Perfect water. It wasn’t until after its opening that I realize a very easy twist released the cap, and there was no seal to remove. I place it back in the bag as the conversation with the taxi driver continues. We’re in agreement that the city has changed, and that Saturdays are not as busy as other days. That’s not to say that Saturdays are not busy-just not as. Soon we reach the Fung Wah bus area. I pay the driver and cross Canal Street, and walk to the Fung Wah store front with suitcase in hand to purchase a one-way ticket to Boston for $15. The day is humid and passengers have boarded the bus with bottled water. No time to buy water; the bus is ready to leave. www.fungwah.com
In Connecticut I think about the water still in its bag. Suddenly a vision floods my mind. I take a sip from my bottle of Perfect water bought with a loose cap. I clutch my throat, only the whites of my eyes show. My body falls forward with an impact-dead. Monkey mind is working overtime it seems. What is the possibility someone tampered with that bottled water with the loose cap? I ask myself.
There’s suddenly a wonderful smell in the bus. A favorite Chinese food? Maybe. French fries from you-know-where has the same affect when you’re enclosed in a place for a time and someone opens a bag of them. Back to the important matter at hand, drink or not drink the bottled water with the loose cap? That is the question. We’re now at McDonald’s in Connecticut “for 10 minutes” our courteous bus driver announces as we line up to leave the bus. I get off with the others and walk around. I’m back on the bus after 10 minutes, and as I slip into my seat I notice a book, FAST FOOD NATION, on the seat in back of mine. I’d have felt a pang of guilt had I returned with a bag of fast-food. I smile when noticing that the reader of the book is also empty-handed.
Traffic is a bit heavy. It’s okay. We’re a neat group on the bus; it feels happy. Traveling alone allows for listening to parts of conversations. Sometimes you learn something. Not this time as a group of Chinese people are directly in front of me, and I entertain no thought of ever being able to understand the Chinese language. Back to my iPod listening to Christmas music. The songs haven’t been changed since December. I hesitate to return a message on my cell phone, not wanting to be the third person with the loud voice calling everyone on the bus to attention.
Have you eaten Goji berries? They’re supposed to give energy. I brought them along for that purpose. Next trip I’ll check the cap on the bottled water and bring more than Goji berries. I spot a motorcyclist without a helmut. I guess it’s his choice. He looks carefree-red bandana around his forehead, chocolate-colored tank top, jeans. A peaceful, totally content with life expression on his face. www.sunfood.com
Drink or not drink the bottled water with the loose cap? That is the question.