We left the Hotel in Kolda via taxi and went to the “Garage”. This is NOT what you or I think of as a garage. It was a massive chaos of cars, busses, people and vendors parked in no particular order. The busses and cars were surrounded by people everywhere, including children, selling their wares, food items and drinks. Some were selling from cartons on top of their head! Amazing. Some were selling from walking about and some had a small stand set up.
Somehow Raleigh knew exactly where our bus was by who the people working around it were. How he spotted them is beyond me. In leadership style he instructed Cheryl and I to get on the bus, find seats and stay seated. This was easy as the bus was not full yet. We located (3) excellent bench seats in the back. We continued to notice the front of the bus continued to fill up but we were satisfied with our choice. We had windows that opened and one of the back doors opened creating a bit of a breeze.
This bus was originally made to hold 15 passengers. By the time we were ready to roll out Raleigh had purchased us each a bag of cold water and the most delicious frozen popsicle; Bissap, it is made from Hibuscus into small frozen chunks and wrapped in plastic! He also purchased Kola Nuts to take to his Village Family; he always takes them something edible as a token of respect and thanks.
There were (3) ladies sitting across from us on the bus. They said I was a Kalibante; via Raleiigh’s translation this means a “rascal”. They had said I should be drop kicked as I knew no Pular! Pular is the local language. They were getting quite the laugh and then Raleigh explained that I was his grandmother and only in the region for a short visit so I was forgiven.
His language skills are amazing to us. After we left the Garage with 26 passengers we thought we were on our way! NOT … 2 young men that worked with the driver, rode on the back holding onto the ladder. As we would pass someone that needed a ride the young men would bang on the top of the bus and we would slow down. One would grab the persons bag and the other would pull the passenger onto the bus and push them in. By the time we arrived at our destination we at least 42 passengers and there were chickens under the seats! This number does not include the 3 or 4 babies. And crazy enough the babies never cried or fussed.
There was a lady close to our stop that complimented me on my necklace using hand signals. I smiled and nodded. Well, she then gets mad. Raleigh said they think if they compliment you on a personal item you are supposed to give it to them. This did not happen and she was quite offended and made it known.
I should also let it be known that I had on long shorts and had smoked a cigarette before boarding the bus. This is Taboo. My calves were showing and I was smoking in public! I had definitely earned the term “Kalibante”.