Honesty. Point Blank. Mr. President.

The Bus Station

In Grenada, they name their busses. The local busses, which are minivans that run up and down routes in a very efficient manner, are named by their owners. The names are everything from virtues like “Honesty” or “Love” to ego-centric names like “Special,” “Just Amazin’”or “Highly Desired;” to the violent/edgy names like “Hollow Point,” “Point Blank,” or “Gun Shot.” The names are scrawled in various “designer” fonts across the top front window. We’ve been collecting names have a list of about 40 names. Here’s a list of a few: “Cutie,” “Mileage,” “Sellout,” “Platinum,” Hypnotic,” “Drama,” “Deportee,” “Emperor,” “Strict Warning,” “Cool as Ice,” “De White Eagle,” “No Fear,” “Extreme,” “Shaggy,” “Play Boyz,” “Assassin,” “Bawl & Beg,” “End Out,” “No Comment,” “Exposed,” “Mad Out,” “BluSteel,” “Tuff,” “Dapper,” “Famous for Life,” “Oil Spill,” and our favorite – “Obama.” We wonder what goes into picking the name. It’s one of our memories from 2001 when we hopped in a bus named “Death” for a wild ride. Haven’t seen “Death” on the streets this time – hope he didn’t meet his namesake. It is fun to start recognizing the busses you’ve been in.

Self Esteem Issues?

The busses have routes, but they’ll also go “off route” on request (for a few extra ECs) – or sometimes “just because.” The other day we asked to be let off near the IGA grocery store – and they drove us right to the front door of the store. They “solicit” riders as they drive up and down the streets. There is the driver who’ll honk a very melodic sounding horn, a conductor who’ll yell out if you want a ride or simply bang on the side of the door. Then they’ll stop anywhere on the street and open the door for you to jump in. It doesn’t matter if there are already 15 people in – there’s always room for one more (see Frank’s guest blog). The conductors can be mellow or aggressive – many are very helpful and friendly with good info (for example – Michael asked the other day: “where’s the cheapest place to buy a case of beer?? “And the conductor took a survey in the bus and offered suggestions.) On slow days, they’ll drive off route and seek out riders. All busses double as cabs – so you have to be careful. Often they’ll ask if you want a cab – and you say “no,” they’ll then ask – “a bus?” and you get in. The price is $2.50 EC for a bus ride (much more for a cab)– so that’s under a buck US for a ride. You never have to wait very long for a bus along the main routes.

Yesterday we rode the bus into town, walked a fair way and then picked up a bus to a local roti stand then walked to Prickly Bay. Today, more projects as we prepare to break away from Grenada.