The small bus stop in my village was busy with people and overloaded buses. On the ground were even more things to load. Touts were shouting the names where their buses were going.
La pequeña parada de autobuses de mi aldea estaba llena de gente y de autobuses sobrecargados. En el suelo había aun más cosas por cargar. Los pregoneros anunciaban los lugares a los que iban sus autobuses.
The small bus stop in my village was busy with people and overloaded buses. On the ground were even more things to load. Touts were shouting the names where their buses were going.
“City! City! Going west!” I heard a tout shouting. That was the bus I needed to catch.
“¡A la ciudad! ¡A la ciudad! ¡Autobús hacia el oeste!” escuché que gritaba un pregonero. Ése era el autobús que yo necesitaba tomar.
“City! City! Going west!” I heard a tout shouting. That was the bus I needed to catch.
The city bus was almost full, but more people were still pushing to get on. Some packed their luggage under the bus. Others put theirs on the racks inside.
Aunque el autobús con destino a la ciudad estaba casi lleno, había más gente empujando para subirse. Algunos ponían su equipaje en la parte de abajo. Otros lo ponían en las repisas de adentro.
The city bus was almost full, but more people were still pushing to get on. Some packed their luggage under the bus. Others put theirs on the racks inside.
New passengers clutched their tickets as they looked for somewhere to sit in the crowded bus. Women with young children made them comfortable for the long journey.
Los pasajeros recién llegados se subían al autobús con sus boletos en mano buscando un asiento. Las mujeres con hijos pequeños los confortaban para el largo viaje.
New passengers clutched their tickets as they looked for somewhere to sit in the crowded bus. Women with young children made them comfortable for the long journey.
I squeezed in next to a window. The person sitting next to me was holding tightly to a green plastic bag. He wore old sandals, a worn out coat, and he looked nervous.
Me apretujé al lado de una ventana. La persona a mi lado sujetaba con fuerza una bolsa de plástico verde. Llevaba sandalias viejas, un abrigo harapiento, y se veía nervioso.
I squeezed in next to a window. The person sitting next to me was holding tightly to a green plastic bag. He wore old sandals, a worn out coat, and he looked nervous.
I looked outside the bus and realised that I was leaving my village, the place where I had grown up. I was going to the big city.
Miré por la ventana del autobús y me di cuenta de que estaba dejando atrás mi aldea, el lugar donde había crecido. Ahora me iba a la gran ciudad.
I looked outside the bus and realised that I was leaving my village, the place where I had grown up. I was going to the big city.
The loading was completed and all passengers were seated. Hawkers still pushed their way into the bus to sell their goods to the passengers. Everyone was shouting the names of what was available for sale. The words sounded funny to me.
Terminaron de cargar el autobús y todos los pasajeros se sentaron. Los vendedores ambulantes se apretujaron para entrar a venderle sus productos a los pasajeros. Gritaban los nombres de lo que tenían para vender. Las palabras me parecían graciosas.
The loading was completed and all passengers were seated. Hawkers still pushed their way into the bus to sell their goods to the passengers. Everyone was shouting the names of what was available for sale. The words sounded funny to me.
A few passengers bought drinks, others bought small snacks and began to chew. Those who did not have any money, like me, just watched.
Algunos pasajeros compraron bebidas, otros compraron pequeños refrigerios y empezaron a comer. Los que no tenían dinero, como yo, solamente nos quedamos mirando.
A few passengers bought drinks, others bought small snacks and began to chew. Those who did not have any money, like me, just watched.
These activities were interrupted by the hooting of the bus, a sign that we were ready to leave. The tout yelled at the hawkers to get out.
Todo este ajetreo fue interrumpido por el claxon del autobús, señal de que estábamos listos para partir. El pregonero gritó a los vendedores ambulantes para que se bajaran.
These activities were interrupted by the hooting of the bus, a sign that we were ready to leave. The tout yelled at the hawkers to get out.
Hawkers pushed each other to make their way out of the bus. Some gave back change to the travellers. Others made last minute attempts to sell more items.
Los vendedores ambulantes se empujaban para salir del autobús. Algunos le entregaron su cambio a los pasajeros. Otros intentaron vender productos por última vez.
Hawkers pushed each other to make their way out of the bus. Some gave back change to the travellers. Others made last minute attempts to sell more items.
As the bus left the bus stop, I stared out of the window. I wondered if I would ever go back to my village again.
Mientras el autobús partía desde la estación, miré por la ventana. Me preguntaba si alguna vez volvería a mi aldea.
As the bus left the bus stop, I stared out of the window. I wondered if I would ever go back to my village again.
As the journey progressed, the inside of the bus got very hot. I closed my eyes hoping to sleep.
A medida que pasaba el tiempo, el autobús se puso muy caluroso. Cerré los ojos con la esperanza de quedarme dormido.
As the journey progressed, the inside of the bus got very hot. I closed my eyes hoping to sleep.
But my mind drifted back home. Will my mother be safe? Will my rabbits fetch any money? Will my brother remember to water my tree seedlings?
Pero volví a pensar en mi casa. ¿Estará a salvo mi madre? ¿Traerán dinero mis conejos? ¿Se acordará mi hermano de regar los árboles que planté?
But my mind drifted back home. Will my mother be safe? Will my rabbits fetch any money? Will my brother remember to water my tree seedlings?
On the way, I memorised the name of the place where my uncle lived in the big city. I was still mumbling it when I fell asleep.
Mientras viajaba, recitaba el nombre del lugar donde vivía mi tío en la gran ciudad. Seguí murmurando ese nombre mientras dormía.
On the way, I memorised the name of the place where my uncle lived in the big city. I was still mumbling it when I fell asleep.
Nine hours later, I woke up with loud banging and calling for passengers going back to my village. I grabbed my small bag and jumped out of the bus.
Nueve horas más tarde, desperté escuchando fuertes golpeteos y gritos llamando a los pasajeros que viajaban de vuelta a mi aldea. Tomé mi pequeño morral y me bajé del autobús.
Nine hours later, I woke up with loud banging and calling for passengers going back to my village. I grabbed my small bag and jumped out of the bus.
The return bus was filling up quickly. Soon it would make its way back east. The most important thing for me now, was to start looking for my uncle’s house.
El autobús de vuelta a mi aldea se llenó rápidamente. Pronto empezaría su viaje de vuelta al este. Por ahora, lo más importante para mí era empezar a buscar la casa de mi tío.
The return bus was filling up quickly. Soon it would make its way back east. The most important thing for me now, was to start looking for my uncle’s house.
