This Precious Life

The Kuala Lumpur City Centre is full of them, especially at the Puduraya Bus Terminal. That’s where I was yesterday, to pick up my passport before boarding the bus to Singapore.

I got there at 1pm and and found out the earliest Transnasional bus is at 5:30. Transnasional would have been a lovely ride because I’m used to it; it is reliable and it stops at Lavender Bus Station. Very few buses stop at Lavender.

A guy in uniform shouted, “Bus to Singapore? Stop at Woodlands? Beach Road? Lavender? 2 o’clock?”

Hmm… his offer was very appealing, but I haven’t heard of City Tours before. Even though it operates from an official booth in the official terminal, I hesitated. I looked around for the next best choice but found none that was leaving before 3 o’clock. I took up the offer.

Bought the ticket for RM39.00 and boarded the bus. Despite the dark smog and din outside, the inside the bus was as quiet as a mouse. A few passengers were lazily leaned into their seats with their eyes glassy or half-closed. 15 minutes later, some one less passive spoke up.

Passenger: Uncle, what time is this bus leaving for Singapore?
Driver: This bus ah? This bus leave at two-thirty!
Passenger: Oh. Where does this bus stop in Singapore?
Driver: Woodlands.
Passenger: But, most buses will stop at Beach Road or Bugis, right?
Driver: No no, only stop at Woodlands. From Woodlands, you take taxi to Beach Road.

Hmm… lesson learned. Although, I’m not sure how I’ll do this next time. It doesn’t make sense to go where the buses are and ask every driver if he’s going to my destination, and if so, at what time – Puduraya is the country’s national bus terminal with hundreds of buses going in and out to various locations all the time.

Ho hum. What’s your suggestion?