Getting Stuck on the Bus

One of the most difficult things to do in Aluva is ride the bus at the peak time of day, which, honestly, could be any time at all. See, the buses here don’t have a capacity – well, I’m sure they do actually have a capacity, but nobody cares what that capacity is. The buses get full to overflowing, with people squeezing in as tight as they can and then simply hanging out the door when those on the inside can’t squeeze any tighter. It’s hot, it’s dangerous, and it can be a total blast…

…until you try to get off, that is.

The other day, I really almost got stuck on the bus. I had been one of the first ones on, which is good because I had a seat but bad because I had no way out once the others had gotten on. When we got to the UCC stop, I stood up to make my move toward the door. Others were getting out, and people were trying to move around; but nobody would let me pass. (And I don’t know how to say “I need to get off!” in Malayalam yet – it’s on my list.)

I made eye contact, I pushed, I tried with all my strength to get through a gap in the mass of people. But there was literally no gap to get through. And so, with the white girl stuck in her spot and the other UCC-stop folks already down, more people began to get ON the bus. What is a girl to do???

Still trying to push my way through the people, I looked with pleading eyes at the money-taker (who stands at the back of the bus and tells the driver when it’s safe to go – that is, when everyone has at least one toe on the bus). Finally, someone understood, and he stopped the madness that was gaining momentum in its climb onto the bus. I pushed really hard – and I mean really hard – through the sari-clad women standing in my way, and finally got down.

And I walked home, sweating, of course, and wondering why the things that I expect to be so simple are often the most trying.