The Best Taxi Ride. Ever.

A couple of weeks ago I had spent the day in Turfloop at the university and grocery shopping. On my way to the spot I catch a taxi, a friend of mine greeted me and accompanied me to the taxi and helped carry some of my groceries. Once I reached the taxi, I greeted those already sitting in the taxi (the kombis don’t leave until all of the seats are filled). Nearly everyone quickly responded saying hello and asking me how I was doing, in Sepedi of course! As I had a several ags of groceries, the ladies in the front few rows helped me load them into the kombi and made room for me to sit next to them. They quickly began asking me questions. What is your name? Where are you from? Do you eat pap? What are you doing here?

Their questions eventually ceased as I answered them all. One lady then said, “I saw you at the funeral Saturday.” Next thing I knew, I was being bombarded by each person telling me where they have seen me before, church, funerals, playing soccer, riding the taxi, in the grocery store, at the clinic, working at the crèche, etc. I was astonished to hear how many places these ladies had seen me, especially since I did not recognize any of them. The ladies were excited to tell me all the places they had seen me, almost like they were bragging to the other women. It felt great knowing they were recognizing me, that although they did not know me personally, they still knew me.

One of the best things about the YAGM program is their focus on simply being in your site. We do not dwell on what each individual volunteer is doing, rather on having a presence in the community. Through this kombi experience, I have realized just how important it is to merely be here. I am having an effect on the community without needing to do anything specific.
Participating in local events and activities has proven to be a great way to be involved with the community.

For most of the taxi ride, the women continued asking me questions and talking with me, it was great. They really enjoyed it when I would speak the little Sepedi that I have learned. I felt like I was a child learning to walk and my parents were cheering me on, only I just met my parents! Then the taxi pulled over in front of another taxi. They said those going to Ga Mailula and Masealama need to get out and go to the other taxi. The ladies translated that for me and then helped me gather my bags, assisting me to the other kombi. When I entered this taxi, those inside were not as friendly to me. From what I understood, some of the girls were making fun of me. However, my newly made friends from the first taxi stood up for me and had a few words with those girls, their comments and giggles soon came to a halt! As each lady departed to the taxi along the way to Masealama, they told me, “goodbye friend, until next time.” When I reached home, I had a large smile across my face. That was the best taxi ride to date!