Disclaimer: I'm not writing about this with the intention on discriminating against my fellow riders but in order to get my full point across, I have to say all of my opinions and parts of my experience.

As a first time rider, I was nervous but eager to get home to see my family. I've heard mixed reviews about taking the bus and wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I was dropped off at a travel gas station in Brunswick, Georgia. I took a seat on the first bench I could find and immediately kept my face in my phone to avoid eye contact with those around me. I thought to myself..."I am no better than any of these people. I do not know them as an individual so why am I so quick to distance myself?"

"A stereotype is a preconceived notion especially about a group of people. Many stereotypes are sexist, racist, or homophobic" (Vocabulary.com)

I was obviously an outcast in this crowd, but I decided to look at this as a learning experience and take the opportunity to get to know others around me instead of judging them by their cover.

I met a nice black man around his late 40's named Charles. Our bus was running late due to a tropical storm and we had to wait a little longer than expected but during that time, he kept me entertained and intrigued in our conversation. I learned that this man couldn't afford a flight from Wisconsin and wanted to see his son graduate high school. He was making 3 transfers and had an 18 hour trip back home. He's always wanted to go to Atlanta and didn't fail to ask me if everything is true about 'The A'. I couldn't help but laugh and brag on my city a little bit. A bus pulled up and a variety of people got off of it. I wasn't sure if multiple buses came during the day or this one was the right one to get on. It was pouring rain and I dreaded running to the bus in the bad weather with the chance of being turned down. Charles was sweet enough to check for me while I watched his bags. Sure enough, it was the right bus and he was getting on it too.

As I approached the bus, the nerves kicked in. "Where do I sit? Do I talk to these strangers? I hope I get my own row by the driver (safe and comfy)." Once I stepped on, I realized this is not Delta Airlines. Katie, snap back into reality! There were no completely empty rows on the entire bus. After giving blank stares to the other riders and finding an item of clothing, bag, etc in each row... Charles told me to sit anywhere and people will adjust around me whenever they get back on. I would have to spend 7 hours next to a stranger?

There were three young, Mexican men sitting in the back of the first bus I got on that the driver called the 'Migos'. None of them spoke English. Of course I was uncomfortable and not off to a good start by sitting in-between all of them. Unintentionally, I gave one of them a nasty look as they kept staring at me. I kept wondering why — and me being close-minded— I figured he was going to try to hit on me. After many failed attempts of him trying to tell me what he meant and pointing to my arm, he grabbed a phone from his friend and pulled up google translator. He was trying to tell me that the hair band on my arm was harmful because it'll stop the blood flow. I smiled and attempted to tell him that I knew that already but was appreciative he was concerned about my wellbeing.

Charles checked on me throughout the ride to Savannah, helped me with my bags, and made sure I knew what to do whenever I was transferring buses. Honestly, he made me feel secure and my ditsy self probably wouldn't have gotten through the first 2 hours without him. I'm thankful he was the first person I encountered

Whenever I arrived at the bus station, I was given 15 minutes before my next bus would start boarding. I decided to grab a snack or two from the vending machine. My dollar would not go in and the quarters would spit back out. A line started to form and I was embarrassed. There were 3 minutes left and I was not starting my next five hour trip hungry. A nice man in a wheelchair offered to pay for it. In desperate need, I took the offer and thanked him. Handing him two dollars, he rejected over and over again... I sat it on his lap and headed straight for the bus.

I looked around on my second bus as it was in route. I realized I was blessed to just be taking the bus to see my family for three days. I could be the lady behind me with two kids no older than 5 years old, looking for a new place to have a fresh start. I could be the man beside me traveling to the big city to have a better job to provide for his family. I could've been anyone surrounding me. I am privileged. Black, white, asian, Mexican, handicapped, wealthy, poor... we are all human beings. We do not know people's stories unless they share them with us. I wish I had enough to help the ones who need it money wise or magic powers to change their life tragedies but all I can do is be kind and have a gentle heart.

We are so quick to judge others and listen to the stereotypes. This was surely a life lesson that was learned. I hope others can take this story or say something else to others in their own words to spread the positivity as well!