[Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions

Tue Oct 12 15:14:05 UTC 2010

I read a most interesting article several years ago and the thesis was that
many of us would have an easier time with public transportation, where
available, if we would see the time we spend in transit as a plus rather
than a minus. The article noted that many people who drive long distances to
and from work complain about their inability to read, and yet writing while
somebody else does the driving is a perfect way to have that time. I don't
think anything we can say will do away with the frustration that occurs when
we realize some people can easily run to the store, but for most of us it
takes more planning. Still, I have to tell you that I have been much more
peaceful about late cabs, buses, and airplanes just by having a portable
reader in my pocket.

Gary 

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Cindy Handel
Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 6:44 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions

Yes, it could be said that time is money. But, I don't think they would
accept "time" to pay for groceries!

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Steve P. Deeley" <stevep.deeley at insightbb.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 6:54 PM
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions

> Because you spend a great deal more time on parra-transit.  Time is money!
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 6:37 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>
>
>> if a place is at least a 20 minute drive and by cab would cost about 
>> $25 each way and the dor-door or para trans bus is $4, why throw away 
>> the extra money?
>>
>> Bryan Schulz
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Steve P. Deeley" <stevep.deeley at insightbb.com>
>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 5:02 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation 
>> questions
>>
>>
>>> Get a cab!
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 6:43 PM
>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi All:
>>>>
>>>> I have some more questions about grocery shopping and transportation.
>>>> Instead of making two separate posts, I figured I'd just put all my 
>>>> questions in one post...they are somewhat related to each other.
>>>>
>>>> I'll start with the grocery shopping questions.
>>>>
>>>> In the apartment building I live in, there is no elevator.
>>>> Unfortunately I live on the third floor, which is up four flights 
>>>> of steps. What is the best way to carry lots of groceries up the steps?
>>>> Would it be okay, when having lots of groceries to set some of the 
>>>> bags on the floor in the hallway by the door, go up with as much as 
>>>> I can carry, then come back for the rest? Is there any better way 
>>>> to carry groceries than in the plastic bags the grocery bagger puts 
>>>> them in? I've been told about burlap sacks that you can carry on 
>>>> your shoulder...does this reduce the load much? I want to make this 
>>>> as easy as possible.
>>>>
>>>> How often do you usually go grocery shopping? When you go, do you 
>>>> just get the things you absolutely need, and keep the load as 
>>>> little as possible or do you usually take advantage of the fact you 
>>>> are at the store and get lots of stuff?
>>>>
>>>> My next questions are about transportation. I live in a college town.
>>>> I guess it's your typical college town. It's big enough to be 
>>>> considered a small city or large town...we have five Krogers, four 
>>>> or more Walmarts...tons of restaurants and bars, two malls...two 
>>>> movie theaters. It isn't a major city though.
>>>>
>>>> We do have a bus system but I've never been encouraged to use it. 
>>>> I've just been expected to take cabs everywhere.
>>>>
>>>> One of the problems though is that the town is not really a walking 
>>>> town...there are parts of it you can walk in but not very many. 
>>>> When things/places are built, often pedestrian accessibility is left
out.
>>>>
>>>> There doesn't seem to be any blind people; there is no NFB chapter.
>>>> So, naturally the majority of the people, including most of the 
>>>> students drive. From what I've read on their website, the bus 
>>>> covers many areas, but usually until only 6 o'clock, unless it's 
>>>> downtown where the students are. I don't live downtown though. 
>>>> Because of this, I find myself having to take cabs almost 
>>>> everywhere. Cabs here are about $5-6 each way. Is this normal for a 
>>>> college town? Is this expensive for a cab?
>>>>
>>>> Are my only options to either take the bus when it is available or 
>>>> take cabs?
>>>>
>>>> Should I just not worry about the expense and take cabs when and 
>>>> wherever?
>>>>
>>>> Is learning to use the bus hard or is it as simple as calling and 
>>>> asking the right questions?
>>>>
>>>>>From what I can tell, from where I live, in order to take the bus
>>>> again since I'm not in the downtown student area I will have to 
>>>> take two buses to get anywhere and it usually takes about two 
>>>> hours. Is this normal for a large town/small city?
>>>>
>>>> The closest major city to me is Pittsburgh. There is a bus that 
>>>> goes there twice. In order to take a grayhound bus, or AM track 
>>>> train you have to somehow get to Pittsburgh. Is the bus going twice 
>>>> daily reasonable?
>>>>
>>>> For those of you who live in college towns similar to this how do 
>>>> you find a balance between taking cabs, using family and friends, 
>>>> and taking the bus?
>>>>
>>>> What is the cost monthly of owning a vehicle compared to taking 
>>>> cabs all the time? I'm sorry to ask this...I've never been told.
>>>>
>>>> I guess I am just asking these questions because I want to make 
>>>> sure I'm not getting screwed so to speak. I don't mind taking cabs, 
>>>> but sometimes I feel like I'm just automatically expected to spend 
>>>> the money just because...if you know what I mean by that! I've been 
>>>> told owning a vehicle is several hundreds of dollars a month when 
>>>> the cost of maintaenance, car payments, insurance, and gas is added 
>>>> up but again these have just been from sighted people who don't 
>>>> take cabs. It seems like most other blind people I know don't take 
>>>> cabs unless they absolutely have to and I hate having to do it all 
>>>> the time. In one sense I feel like I'm being told to go ahead, 
>>>> don't worry about it, owning a vehicle is expensive too...but then 
>>>> on the other hand so many blind people don't seem to like doing it. 
>>>> I know each town is different...but if I want to go somewhere and 
>>>> it's after 6 and the bus doesn't go are cabs or family/friends my 
>>>> only options? I've never gone completely broke or run out of money 
>>>> by taking cabs but again...I feel as if I'm getting mixed messages 
>>>> and I want to make sure I'm doing the right/best thing. From where 
>>>> I live you can't walk anywhere as there are several things across 
>>>> the street but it's not actually a street but a major six-lane 
>>>> highway...so walking is out. I'm not married and live alone. Do 
>>>> those of you who live in towns like this find yourselves having to 
>>>> also take cabs more frequently than other blind people? I know my 
>>>> questions seem a little crazy but I thought I'd ask them all in one
post.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks so much!
>>>>
>>>> Kerri
>>>>
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