Wear and tear

The Daily News' Mariel Garza blogs about the physical effects of trading her car for the bus this month.

I have two blisters on my left foot -- one on my heel and one between my big toe and second toe. On my right foot I have a blister on my heel as well as a line of former blisters that turned into mildly infected oozy wounds on top from a sandal strap.

My right shoulder aches almost always from the uneven pressure of a shoulder bag that I carry on my left shoulder while walking (sometimes running if, like today, I am late) the 1.1 miles to/from the bus stop. I can feel the muscles bunched up under the skin like a knot of wood. Sitting in my work chair for several hours straight only exacerbates it. I do stretches through the day, but they're not quite enough. I try to remember to sleep on my back to relieve it, but usually I forget. I would be popping Advil, but the last time I did that I nearly gave myself an ulcer.

These aren't the only physical changes I've experienced in the 28 days that I've been car-free. While I tan easily and painfree thanks to my Mexican heritage, I usually don't get this brown until the end of a summer. Although I have finally begun using sunscreen every day, by the time I get the the bus stop in the morning, I've sweated off any trace of it, along with my makeup and deodorant.

Tag line: "This public transportation thing isn't for the weak of body. You either toughen up or give it up."

Previously:
She didn't last
Another one bites the bus