freaky times.

There are weird things ahappening in this little world of mine.

Everday that I have work I have to travel to and from the office by bus. Usually I sit with my headfones in my ears and daydream the journey away.

Yesterday on my way back from work I had quite a few carrier bags with me (I had taken the time to do some grocery shopping) and when I got on the bus I put them at that very convenient space at the front of a bus. Its a beautiful, sunny day and I don't mind standing beside the shopping as the bus was full.

About 10 seconds on the bus and my eye catches sight of 2 lads sat on the front seat, you know the ones reserved for the elderly? One of the boys would have been around 11 or 12 and the other 15 or 17.

As I listen to my music I start to realise that the elder boy, lets call him Chimera (another word for freak!), is kinda staring at me. So like any girl I think, whats wrong with me? is my skirt wonky? Have I got a smudge across my face? What? What? What?

I check everything, my scarf, my skirt, my face.... nothing. Everything is as normal as can be. SO whats Chimera staring at?

I don't know if guys realise this but getting stared at makes you feel really REALLY self-conscious. I hate it - u just.... ugh! lol

Anyway, I continue listening to my music (outlandish!) and ignore him. I figure maybe cos I'm a hijabi..... people stare at us. Part and parcel of the whole deal, ya know?!

Anyway, a seat behind me becomes available (perpendicular) and I sit down. And then he does that "eye-slide" thing guys do..... its so disconcerting. It caused what I call the "slab of meat" syndrome. The eye-slide is when they eye you up and down.... checking you out.

Now I may be a hijabi and a Muslim woman and all that... but I know what an eye-slide is and I know what it means. IT MEANS, THE KID'S CHECKING ME OUT!!!!

What the hell? This was a freaky moment. I was getting checked out (again and again) by a kid thats like 10 years younger than me! (my God I'm old!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I ignore. but soon my weirdness creeps out and I can still see him looking across and staring at me every few seconds. I start smiling at my self - well, I found it funny. The smile progresses into a full blown grin as the silliness of it all hits me. I want to laugh but cant; its all so ridiculous!

When I'm getting off and grabbing my bags... he watches me go. And I mean "watches me".

Mr Chimera whoever u r - you have issues!

And the today on the bus a middle aged somali dude was chatting up this 2 young white girls.... when I say young they must have been 12 or 13! He was not subtle, but out and out flirting with them. Alhamdulillah I had my headfones in and didnt hear it all... what did hear was distrubing (I joined this conversation in the middle):

Man: So...... fone no???
Girls: (giggles) no
Man: come on.... ok, I'll guess!
Girls: (giggles) I don't think so.
Man: OK just say it once, I'll remember it!
Girls: Ok its 079804........
Man: 07894......???
Girls: hahahahaha!!!
man: ok so where do u live?
Girls: our family wouldnt like it if they knew u were perving on us. Our brother would beat you up..... (missed some due to music!)
.......................
Man: So where do you live?
Girls: Not gonna say, u dont need to know!
.............................. (music)

Just as I was starting to gather my courage and think I should say something as this was all highly inappropriate.... a young caucasian mother with her child turns around saying
"Don't you think the way you are talking to these girls is inappropriate!? they are half your age age! And what you are doing is disgusting! You should know better at your age!............"

I felt like going and congratulating her for having the guts and integrity to do the right thing. I wish I had spoken up sooner or managed to convey to her how glad I was that she had spoken up.

Buses...... what next?!