April 3 2014 'Jamilla sick and Jamirah well'

After a slow day yesterday and with no significant activity, today began with baby Jamilla arriving at the stop with a morose look on her face and a  bandage on her little arm. Immediately, everyone was concern about her welfare and the absence of the smile and playful eyes. It was discovered that over the last few days, her mother had taken her to the nursery  and apparently she picked up a bug and and developed gastro. As her mother related, she came down with severe vomiting and diarrhea and had to be rushed to the hospital to be treated. This episode really traumatised the mother who was still visibly concerned about her well-being and she confided to us that, she had decided to remove her away from that nursery.  Both Comp and I tried to inform her that getting sick was nothing new for new children entering a new environment and that part of the adjustment is manifested in contracting the illnesses of the other children. She however was resolute in her decision and was firm that she would be making the change.  Despite the sullen mood of Jamilla, Comp was still able to tease a smile from her face for a brief moment.

As we entered the bus, Comp and AC paid their fare and Jamilla and mother, I entered last. By the time I got to the box the machine was jammed and the driver had to open it and adjust the paper roll. Row2 was in row 1 and the left row was free. The bus was one with the softer cushioned seats and the configuration was slightly different from the regular ones. In this case, there was only one row on the passenger's side before the side door. This row we claimed for the trip. A few of the regulars got on along the way, but the bus was filling rapidly. A young man with a nursery school aged daughter got on board and I stood to give them my seat.  Out of concern I warned the father that Comp was known for eating little girls, remembering the story of 'Jack and the beanstalk and the big ogre'. The father taken aback repeated 'eating little girls?' and the child turned her head away from Comp. Comp made a hurried attempt to explain and reassure the young man that his child was safe.


At the Hedding's corner SJ got on board and  without asking, immediately placed her bag in Comp's lap, and gave me a welcomed pinch on the elbow. I noticed that there was a new bag and commented that the bag probably came from the closet of bags and shoes that all women seem to have.  

Today the crowd was unusually heavy and the bus was crammed to capacity, SJ remarked that the driver was acting like a ZR driver as he stopped at every stop, and refused to turn back any passengers from boarding. By the time we got to the airport, there were three persons standing in the doorway by the door and the aisle was filled three abreast almost along its entire length, SJ hoped that by the time the bus got to Oistins it would lighten.

Jamirah and her sisters were back out today, but because of the crowd they could not get near to Comp, and I could see her sense of disappointment at this. Instead she tried her best to amuse the little girl sitting on her father's lap beside her, but the girl was avoiding her and was trying her best to escape, for fear of being eaten. 

Since we were standing, there was little conversation initially. After the bus lightened along the Maxwell stretch, a discussion started with SJ about  the Candy Crush game and the billions that the makers were making. We talked about how addictive it was and how the internet based companies are targeting users for advertising and making millions out of the many users who use their services. I noted that I had played the game for the first time after seeing a schoolgirl playing it on her tablet and was appalled to learn that there was a offer after losing, to pay a fee to complete the game by offering additional chances. To me this would lure unsuspecting gamers and the young to spend money if not vigilant. 

Little by little the bus cleared until Comp got out and SJ took her seat. AC next reached her stop and left and then SJ got out at the Towers in Bay Street. 

I stood for almost the entire length of the journey today, but it was a good trip and all arrived  safely at their destinations.



Bendiciones!!