An Eventful Bus Ride

Yesterday after a full week of classes, I headed home in the rain, without an umbrella but luckily landed a seat on the bus. While looking out the window and trying to pass the time, the phone rang. (I hate answering the phone on the bus because you have no privacy whatsoever.) It was Demetrio and with him in Seattle, I felt an urge to see if he had something important to say to me.

I usually answer the phone with “Pronto” but since I knew it was him I said “Hello”. We began to chit-chat a bit as he let me know when his flight was leaving Seattle and his exit strategy for the day; as I started to speak all heads on the now full bus turned towards me. I think my fellow bus riders just wanted to hear a bit of English. I was practically whispering and don’t think they could make much out. The old Filipino lady next to me did however and when the conversations was over she asked me in English where I was from.

She married an Italian and has lived in Turin for 30 years. Finally she said the words that gave me new hope about my life in Turin. When I asked here where she shopped she happily stated "Dare iz an ee-shan markit, near to via Madama Cristiana, too bad I em lee-bing por the Philipines tomorrow or else I will take you dare." Music to my ears!