If you live in a major metropolitan city, be prepared for silly happenings on mass transit systems on January 10th. By strange, I’m referencing towards the pantless variety. January 10th marks the annual No Pants Subway Ride. Every year on this day, people come together for the simple task of riding a subway, street car or in Seattle’s case, light rail, for the sake of removing their pants and hopefully filling the unsuspected rider’s day with a little humor. It can be shocking, unusual but most importantly, it can be and is ridiculously silly and fun.Today I had the opportunity to not only take the light rail for the first time but to ride it in my underwear. What could be a better way to spend a Sunday?

I must note that I was not the only person baring my thighs to the world. This was a organized facebook event that had, estimated, 200-300 participants from Seattle alone. It was organized locally by Emerald City Improv. Nationally, Improv Everywhere has been “causing scenes” like this for a while. The first No Pants Subway Ride took place in New York City in 2002 with a modest beginning of 7 people. Awkward. Now, it has obviously grown much larger. So I was in good company of the pantsless variety.

We all met up at Westlake Center around noon with the first group set out to depart then. After receiving our instructions (Stagger yourself, take off your pants, act natural), my group was one of the first to depart. I met up with some friends and we all worked out personas and potential “improv” scenes on the light rail. Eagerly, we hopped on the first Light Rail and took our places, wondering who would be the first to take off their pants. I sat and waited for my moment until a large fellow, oblivious of the event, opted to sit next to me. When participants started taking off their pants, he said, “OoooKAY,” and I had to try SO hard to stifle my giggles. This guy completely foiled my plans of pant removal. I quickly hopped off the Light Rail with friends and we hopped on the Light Rail going the OTHER direction to surprise riders there. We had the best luck there as one of my friends took off her pants, nonchalantly, next to a surprising and shocked older rider who tried to look away but just couldn’t. I followed with the pants removal, showcasing my mismatching tube socks, and slowly but surely, the pantsless began to outnumber the pants-wearing riders.

Once the pants were off and I was surrounded by other people in a similar situation, I became completely comfortable. The fact that we outnumbered the actual riders made it lose its shock value. So, I was able to focus on the real excitement: riding the light rail. Honestly, I could not be more excited that the city of Seattle finally has a mass transit system, besides buses and the monorail, and it goes to the airport. It is classy and a gorgeous ride with fantastic views of Mt.Rainier. Note to future riders: There are fare enforcement officials so make sure to buy your ticket. However, I do like how the fare enforcement officials are much more obvious in an intimidating black uniform than the plain-clothes fare officials in Vienna and Germany. If you are going to or from the airport and do not have a ride, the light rail is a great alternative. However, the airport station is not right at the departure or arrival areas, so keep that in mind.

After riding back and forth a few times and having a conversation with an innocent bystander, my friends and I opted to end the day and three of us joined the after-party at Fox Sports Grill, located just a block away from the Westlake Metro Station. We arrived with pants on (because we heard of people being arrested) and were able to order food and drinks from two waitresses who did not expect a group of such a large size. Around 40+ participants opted to head back to Fox Sports Grill for food and drinks. The waitress my group had, Beth, was helpful and nice but visibly stressed and relieved when I told her to relax and I understand her situation. It sucks when your shift is mobbed on a quiet Sunday-football day. The food was good and had the usual offerings of a sports bar – burgers, fries, salads, soups, sandwiches, ribs. I devoured my sautéed mushroom and Swiss burger, which was pricy but satisfied by appetite built up from riding the rails. Although Fox Sports Grill did not get notice we were coming, or so the waitresses said, they handled us well and professional. Good job, guys!

No Pants Light Rail 2010 was a fantastic event. I cannot wait until next year when the light rail is more popular. Hopefully, I can see some of my blog readers participate next year. Remember: January 10th, 2010. I’ll be the girl with the mismatching tube socks. (Btw, I'm in two of the images. Try and find me!)