The Bus Ride

Priscillia is a freshman and was chosen to
be a model for the Sankofa Fashion
Show in May

In class I've taught my students that "Framing" is writing or showing a journalistic piece in such a way as to guide the viewer/ reader to reach certain conclusions. What follows is my description of an interesting bus ride.  Let's see if I have "framed it for you."


It all began at 7:45 this morning.  I was told that those who came late wouldn't get a ride.  Little did we know that the bus driver would be one of those that barely sweeked by.  Nelson is a fine young man and a good driver.  I can see why he is trusted with such a huge responsibility as getting 30 people safely back to Yekepa.  It's about a 200 mile journey.  We arrived at 3:30 P.M.  Does that describe the terrain we covered?

A cacophony of sound was my constant companion throughout the day.  Since I was sitting in the front of the bus, I assumed that everyone behind me was talking at the same time. (topped off with the radio being played too.)  Imagine how surprised I was when I looked back to see most of the seat occupants quietly sitting in their seats.  Those who were talking were "lively"!  ....... and they were all the way in the back! 


I heard Nelson being given instructions as we left, but I only caught a few of them.  As the day progressed, the pre- trip directions became very clear.  We stopped on the side of the road for "our bathroom" stop about 2 hours into the trip.  I seemed to be the only female needing to use the "facilities", but Priscillia, my seat mate directed me to a "semi-private spot".  


About 2 hours after this, some students began to playfully talk about not wanting to fast today.  At first Nelson smiled at their comments which I mostly missed due to the need I still have in understanding their dialect.  But as the day continued and there were no more stops, the discussions got livelier and with passionate.  Not knowing whether or not I was reading the body language right, I asked one or two of "my students" whether or not those talking to Nelson were really angry.  They confirmed that body language here is consistent with what I'd expect at home.  At our only other stop about 1 1/2 hours from our destination, one student called the college president to say that what they'd experienced was inhuman.  Others were fussing at the driver.  I casually commented to one of mine who was deep into the discussion that "if you keep this up, you'll die young."


He said nothing to me until I was let off at House #2, and he got off the bus too.  He wanted to talk with me about my comment.  He'd not taken it as a reference to his blood pressure being raised over something he had no control over, and my attempt to make this situation "lighter".  He took me seriously.  I am SO glad that he had the courage to confront me.  I wouldn't want to hurt any of them for anything, and I DO see how I used words carelessly.  I will try to learn from the experience.


There was a Liberian "prof" riding in the seat in front of me.  I whispered to him at one point as to whether or not the time had come to redirect the conversation and to wait to take out grievances with the proper persons.  He did that, and it seemed to help the situation.

lunch at a lebanese Restaurant in Monrovia

Scenes from the balcony from my hotel room in Monrovia