Since the beginning of January, students have found it difficult to adjust to the cold weather this winter season. Every morning as they walk out the door, students face temperatures as low as 30 degrees, with little sun to help them keep warm. Students have grown impatient as the wait time for the arrival of their bus increases by the minute. This seemingly endless winter has plagued bus riders as they patiently wait for their school transportation.
In true Atlanta fashion, many students forget to layer their clothes with the change of the season. Some have wasted no time at all to switch out their go-to fleece for a big coat and cozy gloves. Depending on how far they have to walk to the bus stop impacts their layering choices for the day. As a result, students have taken the risk of missing the bus by leaving home later. “I get really anxious going to school because I want to leave home later but I worry my bus driver will come earlier,” said junior Zuri Arceneaux-Drayton.
By the time they get to the bus stop, the timer starts to see how long their bus driver will take to arrive. Students watch the cars go by one after another hoping to see their bus in the line-up. Bus riders (or waiters, to be more exact) have taken up drinking hot beverages to warm their cold hands and pass the waiting time. “I drink a camel macchiato with extra caramel drizzle while I wait for my bus to pick me up,” said Dario Benitez Garcia. “I usually drink green tea with extra sugar but recently the cold weather has made me switch to coffee”
Having the heat on during the ride has prevented riders from returning to the comfort of their beds. Even though this makes students more comfortable, there are a few that enjoy the windows being down. “My advice for students is to wear a big jacket on the bus because the cool breeze from the windows outshines the heat,” said senior Evencio Garcia.
As the seasons change, so will the effects Atlanta weather has on North Atlanta Warriors. While students patiently wait for the bus they might daydream about summer wishing it would come faster. In the meantime, the best thing to do is to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.