In The Bus, Part 1

This part of my life called "Riding a Bus".

"SAY IT RIGHT"

Since the beginning of this year I've been riding buses to commute, especially between home and campus. It matters to me because in this part of my life, I can optimally be a good observer (!). Ok that's crap. The thing is I've been trying to compile the advantages of taking public transportations as many as I can to stop sweating the fact that I no longer own a car.


People were telling me how risky taking public transportations in Jakarta; pickpockets, sexual abuse, reckless bus drivers, hygiene problems and other awful things I could barely remember. Let's just hope I'll be lucky enough to avoid those horrific things. *fingers crossed*


In the first few episodes of me riding a bus, mom was totally freaked out. The most logical explanation for that is simply because I never had the experience on using public transportations only by myself, in my very own hometown. Funny, don't you think? She was okay when I was wandering some places overseas by bus, tram or subway, but not in Jakarta, LOL.


New things are always exciting to me. So there I was, riding a bus #86 for the first time on my way home after the classes were over. I still remember, it was a hella day. People were off their work too I believed, filled the bus with me and 30+ other passengers. I unfortunately didn't get a seat so I stood still on the back of the bus until my stop.


FYI, Indonesian buses don't provide any bus-stopping bell for you to push. They can literally stop everywhere, everytime you wish them for (even though there is no bus stop available). Sometimes they're just slowing down the speed (instead of stopping) while allowing the passengers to leave and board a bus. Crazy, I know. I just don't know why.


My stop would come within 5 mins so I shouted "Stop!". OMG I couldn't feel the bus slowing down. "Stop! Please stop!" I tried to shout louder, but the crowded chit-chat were burying my voice. They didn't care, they just looked at me as if I was a lost child. I was devastated. The bus had already passed my stop far away, until the conductor saw me and made the bus stopped. I hated the fact that all the people in the bus were so insensitive. Dammit!


I told my mom and my friend about it. Surprisingly they laughed; out loud. They said I got the wrong punch line. WTF. I should've said "Pull over please!" (in Bahasa: "Kiri ya, Bang!"). 


Okay, my bad!


*Image is taken from here.