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INSTALLMENT I: THE BUSES OF THE HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS
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If someone wants to make a social statement or get some enlightment in haves and have nots, riding the bus is it. Books like
Nickeled and Dimed, which I like, somehow leave out the bus as a barometer of classes in America. Riding a bus is a realization of how much class is a part of our American society, i.e., the haves and have nots.
I especially like to ride the bus with my granddaughters. To them, it is a little like a trip to Six Flags. Once we were on a bus and the driver was a woman. It was really crowded. We were in the Mission area where it makes you wonder if there are any Mexicans left in Mexico. Honestly, there are areas that are so much like Tijuana or Nogales or even Juarez-border towns-people are cooking on the streets, you think you are there. I am amazed.
Lupe, age eight, and I are on the bus and she is fascinated with this female driver who is very animated. The driver is Chinese or Asian of some sorts. The bus driver is hollering at people, talking to the drivers like, "You idiot, get out of the way." She is entertaining and sees Lupe looking at her and really puts on a show, wheeling the bus, pumping her fist. Lupe is fascinated. At the same time, sitting down, right in front of us is this lady in Islamic garb; not a full one with eyes covered, etc., but a veil, long -covering dress whatever they call them. She tugs on Lupe's arm and motions for her to sit down. I say to the lady, "Oh, it's OK." She either doesn't understand or ignores me; she tugs and motions for Lupe to sit down. Lupe shakes her head. The driver is carrying on, she's up and talking out the door to somebody who she says got" their license by mail order".
The bus driver, who is by the way about one hundred pounds, acts like she is going out after the car drivers( terrible drivers as she sees them). She's laughing and talking as though everybody is listening and then she's back in her seat. W're moving.
Somebody tries to sit down beside the Islamic lady, she won't let them and tugs on Lupe's sleeve again. Lupe looks at her, shrugs, rolls her eyes and sits down. She gives up. Lupe is sitting down, the Islamic lady is happy. The bus driver is carrying on still, driving in and out of traffic.
A guy gets on and starts talking to himself, really loudly. He's discussing world events: Bush and how he's going to run against him. He discusses the entire newspaper, the homeless situation, berates Willy Brown, the mayor at that time. Everybody is ignoring him. He's funny, has a wool suit on. and I know he must be roasting--big bow tie. I begin to wonder if he is "Wavy Gravy", this local comedian that I've read about. I don't think so. We're standing side by side and he says to me: "Got any spare change. I say no, he says, "How about a dollar? I give him five.
INSTALLMENT I: THE BUSES OF THE HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS
INSTALLMENT II: TOO MANY CARS, TOO FEW PARKING SPACES
INSTALLMENT III: In North Carolina I THOUGHT GAY MEANT HAPPY
INSTALLMENT IV: Thank Vietnam FOR INTRODUCING ME TO FRISCO
INSTALLMENT V: THE MAYOR WHO THOUGHT HE WAS KING
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