When I was in nursing school we had to take public transportation one day to understand how handicapped people had to travel. I was not very excited about it. Not only did I not know how much it cost to ride a bus, but I had no clue which bus went where. Now, looking back on that day I had no idea how easy I had it. Not only did the bus driver speak English, but I was very familiar with my surroundings.
The other day I was all by myself taking public transportation to the medical clinic. The trip consists of taking a trike to a jeepney to another trike.
TRIKE
JEEPNEY
JEEPNEY
Traveling alone is a very humbling experience. I realized that I was the only one that understood myself. I had to slouch down in the jeepney because I was to tall to sit up straight. As I got off my head smacked the top of the car. When I sat down in a trike the man I sat next to immediately stands up and leaves. I sat there waiting for more passengers to arrive for about twenty minutes. I looked around and saw people talking and then looking at me. I understood nothing they were saying and my mind started to wonder. “Are they talking about me, am I safe, I feel so uncomfortable.” I was very grateful when I finally arrived to the clinic.
Uncomfortable, confused and humbled are three words that I feel describes my traveling experiences. Every country has different public transportation vehicles and trying to learn routes is a huge challenge for me. Language barriers tend to be the biggest obstacle followed by just basic cultural differences that are sometimes hard to get used to. My pride is being striped and God is teaching me to be unoffendable. And each day I am being humbled more and more.
I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16: 7-8
