Bussing to Barcelona

It cannot be denied that sometimes a demonstration of absurdism is paraded on the grounds of this blog.
Stories so impossible, exaggerated, flabbergasting and truly dumb and silly that they can only be classified as absurd.

But we must realise we live in a world that is absurd in many ways.
Hence, this blog is only a reflection of the reality we all share.
Don’t blame it on the pioneering photographer for being absurd once in a while.
Look at your own context and wonder how much sense it makes.
To understand we are all in the same boat with the name “s.s. Absurd”.

Take for example this morning.
Travelling in a large bus from the village of Cadaques in Spain to the big city of Barcelona.
As was the case, the permanent traveller was the only passenger.
Besides the bus driver of course, because things must not get too absurd, ladies and gentlemen.

The bus being completely empty and a two-hour trip to make, it was believed to be a good idea to sit in the first row.
A seat to the right of the bus driver.
With the huge window in front for a magnificent view.
And little notice of the engine noise and the swinging of the bus.

But the bus driver had different ideas.
He said: “You can’t sit there”.
Why not, a sane and reasonable person may ask.
The bus completely empty, no more passengers coming later, why would it not be allowed to sit there?

When the bus driver was confronted with this question he pointed to a sign near the front row seats.
A blue sign with a wheelchair on it.
Indicating that the seats in the front row were reserved for handicapped persons.
Physically challenged fellow human beings.

Well, all right.
Fine.
But where were those physically challenged fellow human beings, Mr. Silly Bus Driver?
Not one in sight.
Hence, if no customer for the seats was coming along, why could the single and sympathetic passenger not sit there?
“No”, the bus driver said, “You cannot sit there”.

At that point a deep level in the pit of absurdity had been reached and the question became how to get out of it.
To threaten the bus driver with a stiletto knife or a shotgun?
To offer him a generous bribe?
Or to just let it go: to rise out of the pit of absurdity like an angel?

Threatening a bus driver is not considered by the police as a nice gesture of absurdity.
To offer him money just to sit in the front is an investment that will not be easily approved by the World Bank and the Catholic Church.
Nothing else to do but to suffer.
To bend like a bamboo.
To put the head in the lap.
To be dominated as if in a SM club.

A seat was taken half way the bus and the fun became to realize that for the 2 hours trip only 21 € was paid and that in a way it had therefore become a very cheap taxi ride.