Hot sweaty... Who else has sat on this seat?

I try to stay away from public transport on hot hot days but I had no other choice today. Hubby has the car and I have an appointment to make (ok a massage - but I must go I am in dire need of relaxation).

I wait for the bus in the sun and stand where the bus sign shades the path. It is a very small rectangle of shade but at least part of my face has some shade, and I'm not squinting at traffic and buses that pass while I check their number.

It seems a lifetime in the sun waiting for a bus that I've never caught before. I have no idea when it comes, if it will come, and if this bus stop still is a bus stop.

Fortunately, it does come. I throw cash at the unhappy driver and take a seat. A vinyl covered bus seat that looks as old and miserable as the person driving the bus.

As it is a hot day I am in shorts and a singlet. As are many other commuters. I am hot and I feel a bead of sweat drop from my neck down my back, and on the back of my legs. There is no air conditioning and the windows are open with no wind coming in. No wonder the driver is unhappy. It is bloody hot in here. We are in a tin can of sweat and we are all boiling.

When I get closer to my stop I start imagining the feeling of getting up off this seat. Like ripping a band aide off hairy legs. Man I wish I wore jeans.

I ring the bell for next stop and quickly jump up off my seat. Best do a quip rip then a slow one-by-one hair pulling manoeuvre. But to my shock and horror I, instead of leaving part of my skin behind, I leave sweat marks on the back of the seat, where my two thighs were resting. Feeling embarrassed and slightly disgusted I grab a tissue from my handbag and wipe the seat down as discretely and quickly as I can. I dash off the bus and am thankful to be now at the massage parlour. I sure need this massage now!

While lying on the massage table I start thinking about how many others today have left their sweat on that seat. I have other people's sweat currently on my thighs. The lady giving me a massage is smearing it all over me. Arrgggghhh! Stop these thoughts, I am trying to enjoy this massage. 

But I think a little more.... that seat would have more than just today's sweat and probably things other than sweat. We have all seen night rider buses. That bus I was on could also moonlight in the evenings as a night rider bus - arggggh! These thoughts are ruining my massage... 

After the hour passes I leave the parlour to go catch the bus back home. All I am thinking about is the long shower I will have when I get home. My therapist said keep the oil on for as long as possible for all the effects. No way! All I am thinking is that the oil that has been rubbed down my back and thighs has a thousand people's sweat mixed with it. I am feeling dirtier than if I rolled in mud on a football field.

I get on the bus and throw my cash at the driver again and want to say "smile, at least you get to sweat on your own seat!". I go and hold onto a rail. Polite bus riders offer me a seat "no thank you I'd prefer to stand" and so should you if you knew what I know! I look at others who get on and sit down and think - 'don't do it.....'

The trip could not go fast enough. I decide to get off a stop early and run home. It's hot and I'm sweating but who cares. It can add to the thousand other sweat types now sitting on my skin.

I turn the shower on, dive in and grab my scrub brush and soap. No nook or cranny will be left un-scrubbed. I will be so squeaky clean I will shine. The sign of pure cleanliness - scrubbed pink skin.

After scrubbing my body till it was a hue of red I make a mental note. Next time when riding a bus wear long pants - or stand - or be the bus driver. But never sit on a vinyl seat in summer when wearing shorts again.