The Ninja Diet #11: Bye bye bus! Hello bike riding...

Yesterday was the last day for my bus card. I will not by a new one. I will bike ride.
As I can't find the motivation for exercise. My son Elisha is in Stockholm as well as his PT- colleague Prince Daniel of Sweden (the last one no longer available for clients I guess...). Elisha is making people fit and strong at SATS Haninge. His mother is riding the bus avoiding any daily exercise...
I will force my self. First bike ride of the year will take place in a few hours. It's cold in Luleå, +7C and grey weather. I am on my way to the next city 40 km from my home. I won't bike the whole way!
I start the first 5 kilometer on my bike and the rest on a bus. I don't look forward to it. But I have to.

Yesterday with the expiring bus card, I took the last trip with my lovely neighbour Ulrika, the photographer of the picture above. We have had great conversation during this winter on the bus stop and on the bus. We have known of the existence of each other as we both have lived for many years in Svartöstaden, Luleå, but actually got to know each other at the bus. I hope we can have a picnic in the summer by the river of Luleå.

The Ninja day wasn't the best in history!
1. Meal plan: Well... I had to admit...I had a few sandwiches at night. Too much stress during the day. Back on track today again!
2. Inspirational reading: No time
3. Meditation: No time
4. Exercise: No time
5. Life changing: working hard on my karma!

Me and Ulrika on the bus number 7!

Dead man riding the bus

I had a great gift from a friend at the bus stop.
Ulrica, my neighbour gave me a time table for the bus. As I am not using a cell phone I can't check the schedule with an app...

Ulrica and I take the same bus in the mornings and we have nice conversations from Svartöstaden to the city for 15 minutes.
We laugh a lot, talk about life, good things and bad things.
Sometimes other friends are on the bus, then we are really loud,  and when I change to number 10 I meet some of my colleagues.

In a individual oriented society like Sweden. It's not common to talk to strangers on the bus. Or else where.  The only place where spontaneous conversations occur  are in the bar, when people are drunk. Everyone searching for a seat with no company and most people sit quiet in the bus.

 It's good and bad. A nice time for reflection and meditation. As I don't have a cell phone it can't be my company during the ride. I look up, look around. I notice the change from spring to summer.


But interacting with other people put me in a good mood.
 When one of my favorite drivers are in charge for the trip I talk to them. 
Ola and I have serious conversations about life, with the man from Congo I practice my french, integration is often the topic with the driver from Iran.

I have travelled with buses in many countries, Cuba, Jamaica, Turkey, Mexico, Morocco...
It's like taking part of a carnival. The Swedish bus rides are like a funeral.
The daddy of my youngest son, born in Havana, whispered one day to me during a bus trip:
Look! The people look like they are dead!

Once I was observing a Spanish  speaking family of six people at the bus. The were really loud and happy. A young Swedish guy gave them the evil eye through out the whole journey.
I am sure some swedes want to throw me out of the bus for disturbing their trip.
Yesterday Doris got on on the bus and and the end she thanked me for greeting her...
I know some of you across the world will not believe your eyes when reading this.

Apart from the socialization bus riding has given me an opportunity to exercise more.
One year ago I took the car where ever I was going.
Soon I will start to use my bike. It's good for the environment and perfect for my weight battle.