A Bus Ride

My joy about my opportunity to volunteer with youth was overshadowed for a while by the mode of transportation necessary to get there. A bus. The school is in a nearby city, and it’s a 45-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride. Normally, this wouldn’t faze me. But I have heard stories of people being robbed and such on buses in Guatemala. Now, I am told that the dangerous buses are the ones headed to Guatemala City. They say going to Jocotenango is fine. As long as you go during the day. And don’t wear or take anything someone else might want. Don’t wear jewelry. Keep just a little money in your pocket. Don’t take your camera. Seriously, people? This is your way of encouraging me? I actually considered turning down the opportunity at the school because of fear of the bus ride.

Then I realized something. If my ultimate goal was absolutely removing any ounce of risk, I wouldn’t be in Guatemala in the first place. I have an incredible opportunity. I can be smart about the way I travel and the way I carry my money. I can do this.

So I boarded the bus. No translator. No teacher. Just me. I was surprised to find a bus full of uniform-wearing students. Perhaps they were going home for lunch or something. It was 1:30pm. I haven’t figured out the school schedule here yet. Anyway, when I say full, I mean full. There was nowhere to sit! I walked about ¾ the way back and decided to just stand in the aisle. I was the only white person and felt ridiculously tall in the middle of all the young, short Guatemalans. I struggled to keep my balance as the bus bumped along over the cobblestone streets.

Then I felt a little tap on my back. I turned around to see a young boy offer for me to sit beside him. He and his friend scooted toward the window to make room for me on the 2-person seat. I said “gracias” and sat beside him, genuinely full of gratitude. I was also impressed and amazed. In my preparation for taking the bus, I was focused on being aware of my surroundings and keeping anything valuable out of sight. I didn’t expect to be the recipient of a young boy’s chivalry.

While I am cautious and aware of my Guatemalan surroundings, may I never be too preoccupied with my own paranoia that I miss out on seeing the beautiful people here.