My Little Bunk

 I have one of the front bottom bunks (starboard side if you're familiar with ship terms). If I toured again, I would probably choose a higher bunk in the back instead. I am closest to the door to the front lounge and the bathroom and I get 100% of the foot traffic walking through the bunk area. To get into my bunk, I do a technique I call the "stop, drop, and roll." Who knew elementary fire safety would prepare me for tour bus life in my 30's? 

We only have about a foot and a half of head room in each bunk so you can't sit up. I bump my head at least twice a day trying to adjust my covers, reach for something at the end of the bunk, or just getting in and out. There is one power outlet by my feet and a bright lamp above my head. There are also two vents that I keep closed at all times because they blow freezing cold recycled air and directly on my face. 

Sometimes we get some weird smells that come through said vents... The septic tanks hadn't been cleaned out in ages when we first got on the bus, and for the first few days of tour, the warm water smelled like rotten eggs. It was awful, and it circulated throughout the bus. There have also been a couple instances where I have smelled an actual fart come through the vent, followed by a very distinct air freshener, so I'm convinced it's directly linked to the bathroom. 

Each bunk came with bedding and one pillow, but I brought my own pillow, pillowcases, a blanket, and my teddy bear. The Bus driver washes our provided bedding once a week, and we are required to wash the items we brought. I decorated my bunk with fairy lights and attached mini polaroids of all of my best friends and my family. I also have a mini calendar with all of the cities written down so I can wake up and check where we are each day. There is a small crevice that surrounds the inside of the bed and I found a little plastic container that fits there perfectly. In it I keep a pen for the calendar, ear buds, chapstick, cough drops, a scrunchie, makeup remover wipes, a sleep mask, and earplugs. There are no windows in the bunk section of the bus, so it gets nice and dark.My bunk is the tiniest space I've ever lived in (which really says something compared to my past ship cabins), but it still feels like my little home and sanctuary. 

The bus gets pretty bumpy. The best way I can describe it, is to compare the feeling to a turbulent plane ride or a rough landing where you're waiting for the plane to come to a stop, except it just keeps going. Sometimes I imagine my bunk is like a little sidecar attached to a motorcycle. I do love the movement when I'm going to bed though, because like the ships, it rocks me right to sleep.