Zootopia and Greyhound: Things are Never as Perfect as They Seem.
I recently decided that the most efficient and cost-effective route from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia would be via the Greyhound bus. The other bus option was the Megabus and although it would have been faster, the stop was not convenient to visit my friend. I was excited to utilize the bus ride time to catch up on some work. Greyhound advertises that both electrical outlets and wifi are available on their buses making it perfect for the business traveller. Things are never as perfect as they seem.
The similarities between Zootopia and my trip started upon my arrival at the downtown bus station. Pittsburgh’s station is large compared to others and allows for great people watching. It is a place where everyone comes together. Myself – a business traveller – in line next to a foreign family traveling with a toddler, next to a group of young adults dressed from a night out on the town, next to a couple that appeared to be prepared for a hiking trip in the mountains.
Zootopia’s Central Station is a place where all animals can travel to and from the city. It is a place where everyone’s needs are met. Vending stations that provide food to the tall giraffe or the shorter mouse. A pool with drying station for the hippos to prepare for their day in the big city. Central Station embodies the utopian atmosphere that I saw in Zootopia and also expected on my bus trip.
The chaos on my bus trip started when we stood in line to promptly board the bus at 9am. As we waited patiently in line, no bus arrived. I started second guessing if I
was in the correct line. The bus was supposed to leave at 9:15 and by 9:30 we still did not have a bus to board. I checked with other passengers to confirm our tickets were all going to the same place, but the confusion continued because everyone had different stops, as the bus route obviously stopped before I would get off and continued after my stop. Finally at 9:30 before I was in full desperation, the bus arrived and we were able to board. I quickly found a seat and also learned that the bus would be completely full with no extra room. Although there was wifi and electrical outlets, there was no easy way to pull out my laptop to work with a passenger in the seat next to me. Also I quickly learned that the outlets on my side of the bus were not working. My expectations were not met and my disappointment grew.
In Zootopia, Judy Hops, is a small town bunny that dreams of being a police officer when she grows up. There has never been a rabbit on the police force but that doesn’t stop Judy. She works hard and gets accepted into the academy. When she arrives at Zootopia she sees it as the Utopia she always imagined, however as she starts going through training and is ultimately placed on the force, her expectations are not met. She is not treated like a real cop, and she become disappointed. She bounces back and tries to make the most out of her assignment as meter maid. She doesn’t let it hold her back and that is when the fun really begins.
Back on my Greyhound bus, although I couldn’t work, I did take the time to talk to the passenger sitting next to me. Her adventure had started two days ago and she was riding on the bus to visit her sister across the US. She was very excited to arrive at her destination and end her never-ending bus ride. I would have been completely tired and exhausted after her adventure, but she seemed in very good sports. She reminded me of Judy, the bunny, making the most out of her situation and really looking forward to the next step.
I had a wonderful weekend in Philadelphia visiting with my best-friend. Since this trip was reminding me of Zootopia, it seemed perfect that we were planning to visit her family’s new alpacas. Although I don’t recall see any alpacas in Zootopia, I am sure they would be welcomed into the city with their own set of stereotypes. My adventure begin again when the weekend ended and I was waiting at the Greyhound station for my bus back home. I was waiting with about 5 other people for the same bus, and when the bus arrived (about 15 mins late again), the driver got off and said, “I have 3 seats left.” I was shocked. How could I have a ticket and not a seat. The first three people boarded the bus and the driver informed us that another bus would be there in about 30 mins to pick us up. A man next to me grumbled that “he heard that before.” I was worried about what would happen if the bus did not arrived. How would I get back home? My fears were quickly calmed as the second bus arrived only 1/2 full. I was able to get my own seat, with a working electrical outlet, and wifi. All my expectations were met and my stress level decreased.
In Zootopia, the adventure continues and mystery grows as Judy and a fox get involved with a case involving missing carnivorous citizens. When some of the missing creatures appear and show savage tendencies, the anti-carnivore prejudice in the city is exposed and threatens to ruin the core of Zootopia. The movie deals with many intense themes including stereotypes, corruption and fear, but the characters never give up and keep the audience entertained as the mystery unravels.
Would I plan to travel again on the Greyhound bus, probably not, but I will plan to watch Zootopia again. Check it out on amazon: Zootopia (Theatrical)
