Originally when I started the previous blog my intention was to write more about the view out of the bus window than the people who populate the bus, but I guess I got a little carried away... I hope not everybody who reads this is bored to tears yet!
Although my bus route is relatively short I love looking at the different parts of Durban and voyeuristically checking out what's going on.
Although my bus route is relatively short I love looking at the different parts of Durban and voyeuristically checking out what's going on.
In the morning the richer suburbs are relatively quiet with only those health conscious joggers and people out walking their dogs, passing silently by on the pavements. Once one hits town, the whole atmosphere changes and things are definitely not quiet!! People pour from the early morning service at the DCC (Durban Christian Centre) and then head out to their double-parked cars which line the street, or to the mania at the taxi ranks where people laden with huge bags and bundled in warm clothing dodge the hooting taxis who zigzag from lane to lane!!
The shops are all closed with heavy iron roll down doors and gratings, and the streets are not yet full of vendors hawking their wares.
In the afternoon it's a different story! The pavements are full of people selling everything under the sun. There are bags, clothes, cellphone accessories, sweets biscuits and much more!! Along my route home every second shop is either a pie shop or a chicken shop and often the bus is filled with the delicious smells of people's afternoon snacks!
On the way home it's interesting to watch the forklift learner drivers practicing their skills in the Industrial Training Centre set up in the open air, on a corner of ground between 3 roads. It's a tiny piece of ground but they put it to good use and have set up an entire obstacle track!
Then one heads into the depressing section of town where every second shop is funeral parlour. Large haind painted signs advertise special deals on coffins and tombstones and death is a thriving business. :(
Thankfully the rest of the trip is more pleasant as we head back into the suburbs, past the bustling food store Woolworths and the trendy art gallery cafe, and on to the bus stops where we pick up the crowds of school children who liven up the bus with friendly and not-so-friendly banter!!
Now the only thing left to do is relax and hold one's breath as the bus driver alternately brakes sharply and accelerates wildly in the rush to get home!! Good thing it's generally well after lunch time!!!
The shops are all closed with heavy iron roll down doors and gratings, and the streets are not yet full of vendors hawking their wares.
In the afternoon it's a different story! The pavements are full of people selling everything under the sun. There are bags, clothes, cellphone accessories, sweets biscuits and much more!! Along my route home every second shop is either a pie shop or a chicken shop and often the bus is filled with the delicious smells of people's afternoon snacks!
On the way home it's interesting to watch the forklift learner drivers practicing their skills in the Industrial Training Centre set up in the open air, on a corner of ground between 3 roads. It's a tiny piece of ground but they put it to good use and have set up an entire obstacle track!
Then one heads into the depressing section of town where every second shop is funeral parlour. Large haind painted signs advertise special deals on coffins and tombstones and death is a thriving business. :(
Thankfully the rest of the trip is more pleasant as we head back into the suburbs, past the bustling food store Woolworths and the trendy art gallery cafe, and on to the bus stops where we pick up the crowds of school children who liven up the bus with friendly and not-so-friendly banter!!
Now the only thing left to do is relax and hold one's breath as the bus driver alternately brakes sharply and accelerates wildly in the rush to get home!! Good thing it's generally well after lunch time!!!
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