Eraa: Escalation on the Bus?

Second week, second blog post!

On Wednesday after work, we decided to go to “Las Ramblas” again for a walk and some shopping. So after work, we got ready and went to wait for the bus.

You have to know that now, with all the tourists, the buses are really full. That day the bus was also a bit late. When it finally came, we just managed to get inside—it was so full! As if the heat outside wasn’t enough, it was even hotter inside the bus because the air conditioning wasn’t working.

From our location (Barceloneta), it takes about 30 minutes by bus to Las Ramblas. So we were on our way, and after 4 stops, a fight started between the bus driver and a passenger. The door didn’t close properly, so the driver stood up and told people to move away from the door. But one passenger started to act rude. He raised his hand, but in the end didn’t do anything. The driver got angry and started to argue with him. They both began shouting and insulting each other.

Then the driver went to the front of the bus and made an announcement. He was standing in front of us and while speaking, he also spat, which was really disgusting. He said he wouldn’t drive until that passenger got off the bus.

Everyone in the bus got angry and told the man to get off.

After a few minutes, he finally left the bus. But before that, he continued insulting the driver and said in Spanish:“Me bajé porque respeto a los demás, porque no te respeto a ti. Nunca me habría bajado del autobús por ti.”This means: “I got off because I respect the others, not because I respect you. I would never have gotten off the bus because of you.”

Then the bus finally continued. But it was still so hot and full that we decided to get off earlier. The driver didn’t open the front door, so we had to go to the back. Three of us managed to get out, but then we noticed one of us was still inside! The driver had closed the doors so fast that not everyone could get off in time.

We saw people talking to the driver, and then he opened the door again so the last person could leave.

What a crazy bus ride!