Aftermath of the Yellowstone Vist

03 August 2008; 2235hrs Bozeman, Montana (USA)

I’m finally back in my dorm room in Bozeman. Before that, however, I had the greatest panic in my life! But that’s a story for later.

While waiting for Lisa, I took a walk around Gardiner, Montana. It is seriously such a small town that their fine dining looks so lok kok. Having 3 hours to kill, and Gardiner being such a small town, I really had more than 2 hours to sit and do nothing. Feeling bored, I went to a gift shop to sit and drink something – root beer float with huckleberry ice cream. Yum… the ice cream was heavenly. It was neither too sweet nor bland. It tasted a little like blueberry but better.

After which, I went back to Flying Pig to wait. The agreed time was between 1830 and 1930hrs. I was there since 1815hrs though. While waiting I read my book, listened to my iPod, took shelter from the rain, and so on. Up until 1955hrs, I still couldn’t see anyone. By 2000hrs, I was panicking! I went to ask a staff at Flying Pig if there were a taxi service. NO!!! There is no taxi service in the entire town! And the nearest town, Livingstone, was more than 50 miles away! How was I go get back to Bozeman??? How ulu can a place be???

“Hitchhike,” she said.

Sigh… I could only try my luck by sticking my thumb out. No one stopped…

Luckily enough, Lisa finally appeared at 2010hrs! While I was thumbing cars, I might add. Seriously, I heaved a huge sigh of relief! Oh man, that was really scary. Was I going to be stuck at Gardiner with no room? And even if I managed to find a room, how was I going to get out of that town the next day? I tell you… America needs to work on their public transportation system and connectivity between towns.

We had dinner in the car. It was bought from a drive-in. I got a cheeseburger for US$7.75 and it was huge! But much better than the Wendy’s burger I had. Much.

I’m finally back in Bozeman and on my bed. Sigh… happiness is so easy to find in the littlest of things. Especially after a horrible scare…

Still, I have to thank Lisa for saving me from that tiny town that doesn’t even have buses or taxis.