See What Had Happened Was...

So before I started this blog when things happened I would write in a random notebook or in the notes section on my phone. Now I do have a journal that I keep that will not come to light until she's published into a tell-all. But I wanted to tell you all a story of something that happened here a while back that gave me some hope.

As you all should know by now the Balkan countries are not very Black/African-American friendly. Now there are people who I have already grown close with and have made this experience a joyful one. I'm already making plans to come back and visit because everybody ain't mean/rude. Anyway, being that these countries are like this I really have to pay attention when I travel alone. If that is walking by myself, taking a taxi by myself, and even taking the bus. Buses are a thing here. I think I have rode the bus between Tetovo and Skopje more times than I have when I was back home lol, #INeedToDoBetter. So as you can imagine the first time I rode the bus to Skopje I was a bit nervous. First time leaving the city on my own, come on now. One day I'll tell y'all what happened on my way to the bus station but this post is about my journey back.

After a lovely weekend in Skopje it was time to come back. Got to the bus station fine, got on the right bus, and was doing okay. As the bus neared Tetovo I wasn't sure where to get off. I thought that it was going to go back to the bus station and that would've been great. Little did I know, it wasn't. I actually missed the stop I needed to get off at, but I didn't know. The bus kept going. In my mind I was like, oh it's just going to go around the city, that's fine no big deal. Well turns out it was headed to the next city over, Gostivar. So here I am, on a bus with my peach rings, phone (which the sim was locked, so no help), my backpack, and a very thin jacket. I thought I was going to hyperventilate. I was screaming and crying on the inside, but I knew I couldn't show any emotion because the people on the bus would've been like, what is this Black person doing. In the midst of these emotions I kept telling myself it was going to be okay. I had my 2nd favorite candy with me so all was...well #NotReally.

My thought was just get off at the next stop once you get to this city (THANK YOU GOOGLE MAPS). I tell myself just get off and find the bus station. When the bus stopped it was literally at the edge of the city. Now mind you I don't speak Albanian or Macedonian, I'm Black, and I'm in a foreign country. I'm scared. I get off the bus and start to ask this young lady for directions. PRAISE YE THE LORD, she spoke Perfect English, high-key better than me. She was like, don't walk all the way to the station, just cross the street here and another bus will be here in like 15 minutes. OKAY, we were in business. I cross the street and just wait.

In my mind I'm like, alright mama be strong, don't cry out here. People walk by me and stare, a group of kids comes by and I know said some raggedy stuff, but at this point I was just beat. I was like if no bus comes, I'ma ask someone for their phone and call someone to come find me :(

About 10 minutes pass and nothing. I'm cold and hungry and just #sad. Then I see a lil girl. Had to be like 5 or 6 on her lil pink bike. She's with her grandma and the lil girl points at me. I'm like okay, i've been spotted, lol. But her and her grandma come close to me and she's talking to me in that cute lil high pitched voice all pre-schoolers have and I'm like "I don't understand, I'm lost." The lil girl keeps saying something and grandma reaches toward my face. For a hot second I was like, Mecca don't hurt her if she tries to grab your hair. But, grandma touched my cheek and looked in my eyes and smiled. She ain't say nothing, no words, she spoke with her eyes. All the fear I had inside and worry, grandma made me feel better, and I calmed down.

As soon as they stepped away I saw a bus coming. I put my hand out and the driver motioned that he wasn't taking any passengers. I got discouraged, but then I looked over and grandma and lil girl were still there just waiting. (I like to tell myself that they were my angels waiting until I was safely on a bus). I then see another bus coming, I raise my hand again and the driver just speeds by. I'm like okay, I will give it one more try and then I am going to call someone to come get me because it was starting to get dark and remember I didn't know the language and the sim card on my phone was locked. And then, bus number 3. #HolyTrinity I put my hand up and almost stood in-front of the bus, but he pulled over before I had to do that. I hopped on that bus so fast y'all, I didn't even wave bye to grandma and lil girl.

I sat in my seat and the man came back to take payment and he was like, where you from, I was like uhhh Los Angeles*... he was like, oh the Lakers, and I was like yeah, them, lol. It was meant to be y'all, me on that bus back to Tetovo.

When I got off the bus I did what every American in my position would do, get a cheeseburger. Well maybe not every American, lol :)

So what's the takeaway, whatever you want it to be. I got from it hope. In the midst of it all a lil old lady gave me hope. I more than likely will never see her again, but trust, when I become mildly famous I'm giving g-ma a shoutout.

#Macedonia #Grandma #peachrings #Lakers #IHaveNeverMissedMyStopAgain

*When I don't feel like explaining where Nebraska is I tell people L.A. So don't y'all get all upset, I claim Nebraska. But after this year I may be claiming a totally different state... insert eye emoji