Riding the MAX

A wonderful aspect of Portland is the public transportation system. The TriMet offers three options: buses, the MAX Light Rail, and the WES Commuter Rail. Many people that I work with don't have cars and ride the buses to work. Being from a small town with absolutely no public transportation, this was one of the many culture shocks I knew I'd experience out here. Everyone thinks I'm crazy when I say I've never ridden on a bus (other than school buses). Even in college, there wasn't public transportation (that I was aware of). They did have Safe Ride that picked up people and drove them home from the bar district, aka Aggieville for you Wildcats out there. I lived nearby so we usually walked unless it was unbearably cold or raining. In Wichita, the bus system was extremely lacking in most aspects and I never really considered riding. A friend living in Dallas posted Facebook pictures recently of entertaining Kansas family members by taking them on public transportation. It's just such a fascinating concept for us!

Back home, everyone has a car, even if it's a beat up old clunker. If you don't have a car, you have to rely on the small town kindness of your friends and family to get around. I put my old Geo Prism through a lot and every once in a while it needed some work. I either had to hitch rides from friends or drive my dad's truck: a gold behemoth that sounded like a diesel. I had a terrible time shifting because, unlike the Geo's compact gear shifter, this thing had one half the size of my body.

Last month, I met up with some friends for Japanese food. To my surprise, it was in downtown Portland and we were going to take the MAX. After the usual stares of utter shock when I explained I didn't know "how" to ride nor had I really used public transportation, my friends were quite helpful in teaching me the ways of the big city.  *Disclaimer: I've used taxis in Chicago, San Antonio, and Mexico. I've also ridden the subway in Washington D.C. but that was in a large group with someone telling us what to do and where to get off.* We then drove to the Park and Ride station, which also has parking for bikes. Purchasing a ticket was simple. I inserted my debit card, selected that I wanted a day pass (smallest increment is 2 hours and we didn't know how long dinner would take), and I got my ticket. Then we waited underneath a canopy in the typical Portland drizzle and made jokes.

My first MAX ticket.

The ride was uneventful. It was dark and I couldn't see anything outside of the windows. I'm looking forward to riding again during the day so I can see the lovely Portland landscape. The MAX passes through a tunnel through the huge hills between Beaverton and Portland. During that time, it's hard to hear so we could only talk loudly to the person next to us. Once we entered Portland the MAX's automated voice told us what stop we were at and to exit to the right. Then it gave directions again in Spanish. One of the guys even spoke with the announcement in both languages. It wasn't his first trip. Google Maps was also helpful in determining our stop but we still checked a large map that told us where each stop was. It was located right next to the bike racks. (So awesome!)

The sushi bar.

We exited and walked to the restaurant. It was an amazing traditional Japanese place. Patrons sat around tables, traditional Japanese style. The tables were regular height but situated as if you were sitting on the ground (you had to step up to get to the seating). Our party was large so we could sit at the bar top or a table in the bar section was opening soon. I was sad that we sat at an "American" table and plan to go back to sit at a traditional table next time. I tried new foods, some of which were delicious and others I won't be sampling again.

The ride back was the same as the ride into town. I was a little sad that no one checked my ticket either time. Apparently, there are people that check tickets and year-long passes but they're not on every train. I made jokes about getting caught without one and being thrown off the train, Indiana Jones style. My Portland friends informed me that you get taken somewhere (police station, TriMet depot, I can't remember) and receive a $250 fine. You can also be arrested and/or banned from riding. That is a gamble I'm not going to take.