Bus Trip and Travelling Toilet
Bus Trip and Travelling Toilet-
Ouaga to Niamey:
Big bus wedged in next to Chad. We were in the back with a baby jamboree; babies kicking, pooping, pissing, breasts flying everywhere as the babies are eating often and they sleep with their mommies boobs in their mouths. The bus gets filled up with people who have tickets in the station. Then we leave, turn the corner, and another 15 people push, shove, and pull themselves to also get on the bus. These people will stand and sit in the aisles for the next 10 hours to Niamey and pay a little less that will go directly into the bus drivers’ pocket.
The driver of this bus didn’t like waiting for anyone, so he would pull away as people were still getting on. Literally the doors wouldn’t be closed and people would be hanging on from the outside of the bus trying to pull themselves on. We tried to not get off as much as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes nature calls and you have to do your business.
So this is the recurring “bathroom” scenario if you can imagine:
Normally takes place in front of a whole lot of men who are wondering, “What is this white girl going to do?” The wind is blowing, I am trying to hide behind a flimsy “bush” that goes up to my knees with 40mph winds coming up my behind and it’s cold as hell. I’m holding my skirt attempting not to flash all of the men, trying to get the toilet paper in my hands. Praying for a NON messy pooh because number one, I don’t have enough toilet paper, and number two, it would take too long to clean up and the bus driver would have no qualms leaving me in the middle of nowhere. In addition, I end up pissing on my foot and shoes, and it always ends up getting on my skirt. Skirts are definitely better than trying it with pants, but nothing is full proof. Then I run back to the bus, panting, relieved and thanking god I made it. Look down at my shoes with slight disgust, wonder if Chad and Tina can tell, figure they also pissed on their shoes.
Then sit back, relax and wait for it all to dry so I can forget it ever happened because I’ll be wearing these clothes for the next 4 days!
And that’s travelling in Africa.
Ouaga to Niamey:
Big bus wedged in next to Chad. We were in the back with a baby jamboree; babies kicking, pooping, pissing, breasts flying everywhere as the babies are eating often and they sleep with their mommies boobs in their mouths. The bus gets filled up with people who have tickets in the station. Then we leave, turn the corner, and another 15 people push, shove, and pull themselves to also get on the bus. These people will stand and sit in the aisles for the next 10 hours to Niamey and pay a little less that will go directly into the bus drivers’ pocket.
The driver of this bus didn’t like waiting for anyone, so he would pull away as people were still getting on. Literally the doors wouldn’t be closed and people would be hanging on from the outside of the bus trying to pull themselves on. We tried to not get off as much as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes nature calls and you have to do your business.
So this is the recurring “bathroom” scenario if you can imagine:
Normally takes place in front of a whole lot of men who are wondering, “What is this white girl going to do?” The wind is blowing, I am trying to hide behind a flimsy “bush” that goes up to my knees with 40mph winds coming up my behind and it’s cold as hell. I’m holding my skirt attempting not to flash all of the men, trying to get the toilet paper in my hands. Praying for a NON messy pooh because number one, I don’t have enough toilet paper, and number two, it would take too long to clean up and the bus driver would have no qualms leaving me in the middle of nowhere. In addition, I end up pissing on my foot and shoes, and it always ends up getting on my skirt. Skirts are definitely better than trying it with pants, but nothing is full proof. Then I run back to the bus, panting, relieved and thanking god I made it. Look down at my shoes with slight disgust, wonder if Chad and Tina can tell, figure they also pissed on their shoes.
Then sit back, relax and wait for it all to dry so I can forget it ever happened because I’ll be wearing these clothes for the next 4 days!
And that’s travelling in Africa.
posted by Melissa @ 4:15 PM
1 Comments:
At 1:39 PM,
John Atkinson said…
Nothing wrong with a little pee on the shoes, good sport. Atleast you have the excuse of traveling the desert; I'm usually committing this act at the local bush bar's "pee hole."
See you at the Ho party, round two.
"Praying for a NON messy pooh because number one..."
Ain't that the truth.
Post a Comment
<< Home