Monday, February 23, 2015

Lagos on a Monday – Public Transport Stories Week 3

Our Lagos on a Monday – Public Transport Stories continues. Please search for Weeks 1 and 2 on the blog.

 

I had some business to attend to so I left home a little later. There were 2 women with kids in the "Keke" (tricycle) I boarded out of the Estate. One of the ladies was holding an infant. It appears that they had agreed with the driver to take them to exactly where they were going. Apparently, because I was in the "Keke", the driver asked them to come off at the junction so he could get me to where I was going. That would have meant an unplanned walk for the women with the kids. I quickly asked the driver to drop me off instead and take the ladies to where they were going. Even if I sound somehow, I can tell you that the decision felt GOOD! Lol.

I quickly found a vehicle to get me to my destination in no time...

 

As I was in the bus heading to toll gate, we found ourselves in one weird traffic jam like that. The driver started honking at the LASTMA officials that were trying to maintain order. A woman in the bus advised the driver to stop honking as the LASTMA official could misinterpret and keep us waiting for long (typical response for people from her part of the country, fear fear, lol). Thankfully, the reverse happened in our case. The honking pressured the LASTMA officials into 'passing' us.

 

The 'conductor' (I don't know the proper title) was already showing signs of being a trouble maker. So, I asked him to give me my "change" (balance) before I'll pay him, though I showed him my 500 Naira. He made some noise asking me to give him the money before demanding for the balance. The ride continued smoothly for a while then I remembered that I hadn't paid my fare. I reminded the conductor and we started our squabble all over again. I was quite irritated at the judgment of some passengers.

 

"Just give him the money and he'll give you change, you sef like trouble", they 'counseled'. Of course, I did no such thing...I finally alighted and the conductor wanted to make a scene. I did small 'shakara', though I was praying internally that things won't turn ugly. After telling the conductor that I was not hurrying anywhere and with the intervention of others, he gave me the balance and I paid him.

One of the two male passengers that came down to give the conductor some moral support apparently didn't see my wedding ring. He claimed that my attitude was the reason why I was unmarried. I quickly showed him my ring and he was lost for words...Seriously, that was the worst insult he could think of? Shaking my head!

 

The rest of the journey was uneventful thankfully (?)

 

Enjoy the week ahead!

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