Some of the most amazing features of traveling by public buses in Abu Dhabi (provided you're not crushed in between people during rush hour) are:
Today while I was sitting at my favorite seat next to the window on the bus with the massive panoramic windows, I was looking across the street at a little boy, not more than the age of 5, who seemed to be a little too happy for a Sunday. He was skipping and running and then skipping a little more with his small hands in the air and a massive smile on his face. He reached the end of the pavement and started bolting towards the other pavement that will take him to the pedestrian crossing. His expression changes from joyful to powerful as he uses all his stamina to speed across. What may seem like the speed of light to him, appeared to be rather slow to me, looking at all this happen from across the street waiting at the traffic lights. His leaps were actually short steps. At the same time, a black four wheel car approaches the corner. The same corner this little boy was trying to run across. The driver's eyes were on the traffic behind him, trying to judge if he would be able to join the main road or will have to wait for the other cars to pass by. He was not looking ahead of him. Even if he did, the boy was too little to be noticed. The child was still crossing the road. The car had not stopped.
He made it to the other side and the car was able to join the main road before the signal turned green. That has to be the longest 10 seconds of my life. The story does not end there. Where was the guardian of this child? He (the father, the brother, the uncle, the neighbor - whoever he was. He was a grown man) was a few meters away, swinging this child's school bag back and forth while typing/checking something on his mobile phone. He has no idea that the worst could have happened to this little child, who was also oblivious to the situation. He had speedily made it across the crossing, had his hands up in the air to show victory and was looking at the grown guardian person for acknowledgement (which he doesn't get either).
If the timings were wrong, imagine witnessing the body of the little boy who was too happy for a Sunday flying through the air.
If the timings were wrong, imagine the shock of the driver who did not expect that little boy in the middle of the curve as he came around.
If the timings were wrong, imagine the panic of the little boy who did not expect a big car to race towards him.
Please take care of yourselves when crossing the street or walking on pavements. Be mindful of those you are responsible for - children, the elderly or pets. Slow down, especially in residential areas or when turning a corner.
That message could be responded to later, or status updated afterwards. If you miss this traffic light, there will be another one in 45 seconds.
A body injured or a life gone is not worth any of this.
- Separate priority seating for ladies (sorry men, this is probably not an amazing feature of traveling in public buses in Abu Dhabi for you)
- Air conditioning
- The very definition of value for money (just 1 Dirham to go wherever in the city you want to go!)
- Not having to worry about the kings and queens of the road who are above us petty drivers and therefore do not have to obey any traffic rules
- The massive panoramic windows
Today while I was sitting at my favorite seat next to the window on the bus with the massive panoramic windows, I was looking across the street at a little boy, not more than the age of 5, who seemed to be a little too happy for a Sunday. He was skipping and running and then skipping a little more with his small hands in the air and a massive smile on his face. He reached the end of the pavement and started bolting towards the other pavement that will take him to the pedestrian crossing. His expression changes from joyful to powerful as he uses all his stamina to speed across. What may seem like the speed of light to him, appeared to be rather slow to me, looking at all this happen from across the street waiting at the traffic lights. His leaps were actually short steps. At the same time, a black four wheel car approaches the corner. The same corner this little boy was trying to run across. The driver's eyes were on the traffic behind him, trying to judge if he would be able to join the main road or will have to wait for the other cars to pass by. He was not looking ahead of him. Even if he did, the boy was too little to be noticed. The child was still crossing the road. The car had not stopped.
He made it to the other side and the car was able to join the main road before the signal turned green. That has to be the longest 10 seconds of my life. The story does not end there. Where was the guardian of this child? He (the father, the brother, the uncle, the neighbor - whoever he was. He was a grown man) was a few meters away, swinging this child's school bag back and forth while typing/checking something on his mobile phone. He has no idea that the worst could have happened to this little child, who was also oblivious to the situation. He had speedily made it across the crossing, had his hands up in the air to show victory and was looking at the grown guardian person for acknowledgement (which he doesn't get either).
If the timings were wrong, imagine witnessing the body of the little boy who was too happy for a Sunday flying through the air.
If the timings were wrong, imagine the shock of the driver who did not expect that little boy in the middle of the curve as he came around.
If the timings were wrong, imagine the panic of the little boy who did not expect a big car to race towards him.
Please take care of yourselves when crossing the street or walking on pavements. Be mindful of those you are responsible for - children, the elderly or pets. Slow down, especially in residential areas or when turning a corner.
That message could be responded to later, or status updated afterwards. If you miss this traffic light, there will be another one in 45 seconds.
A body injured or a life gone is not worth any of this.
