Culture Snapshot: Riding the Bus in Albania
This piece was written by Hannah Z, age 15 and gives us a glimpse into life in a foreign culture. She and her family live and serve in Albania.
When the bus pulls up, the people flock to the doors and hop on, sometimes before those inside can get out. I’m usually the last one on. It’s not exactly a smooth ride. I bang in to this old man and nearly fall over while trying to pay the man who is pushing his way through the bus collecting money for tickets. Usually the buses are so full that at least one part of my body is touching someone else–especially at bus stops. At the bus stop, I’m constantly being pushed here and there, trying to get out of the way of people getting on and off. Does anyone have lice? How long will it be before I get them again? Will I have something stolen? When was the last time that guy took a shower? Didn’t he see the No Smoking sign? Excuse me ma’am but could you please get off my foot? These thoughts all go through my mind and there are times it would be easier to get off the bus and walk. But really, who knows what kind of rough edges are being knocked off of us when we
take the bus.
