We are the rhythm of the institution:upbeat, synchronized, irresistible
11/04/2024
Goats of Spiceland..
It's approximately 9:19am on the 26th day of July in the year 2011. The morning is mild. The sun, though dazzling, hasn't yet relinquished its full quota of vehemence on the earth and the atmosphere retains it's cool, pleasant temperature.
A mischievous breeze scatters twigs and dried leaves about like a crackhead sorting scraps and tossing some aside. The air is arromatized by a vague fragrance of dust and cinnamon as if the deserts of Arrakis are nearby and the Harkonnen are harvesting Spice.
We are descending from Perdmontemps in St. Pauls to The Carenage in St. George. Our mode of transportation is the fairly frequent, #4 minibus that conveys daunting numbers of daily commuters to their desired destinations.
Our van is already 7 passengers over what more bourgeoisie republics may consider to be crowded however, it appears that only us foreigners have noticed this.
Our driver, a thickset, good-natured, uninhibited fellow who evidently had an amplifier instead of a voice box installed at birth, seems to know or be known by every citizen visible. So clamorous are his tones that it is unlikely that he needs the vehicle's horn to warn pedestrians, cattle or oncoming motorists of his approach.
Additionally, if "Too nice" was a person he is it's embodiment because he stops for new travelers every couple kilometers although no unoccupied seats remain.
At this point, people are sitting on the laps of other people like figs on a 'hand' of fig but, the expressions of those both seated and sat upon belies neither concern nor discomfort. Indisputably, this is the way journeys are taken on this island. Cool! Irie! No problem!
Although licensed for 12 passengers, us tourists now count 29 fare payers en route to cramps and paresthesia.
Up ahead, hand outstretched with thumb pointing skyward in the universal gesture for ["Yes, I wish to travel with you!"] is a burly chap in a bile green trousers, Orange Orange v-neck and straw hat accompanied by a healthy looking, shiny, black, adult goat.
Our driver, who by this time is completely unchallenged in his enthusiasm to freight a Guinness Book of World Records amount of "people", downshifts the gears, applies the air brakes and brings his Antonov 225 to a halt.
Unceremoniously, helpful individuals alight, hoist the goat first and squeeze it into a space that only seasoned visionaries of their caliber could perceive. Next, with Ill concealed sounds of effort slash force, those who helped load the goat now stuff themselves and its heavy owner aboard and we are on our way.
Arriving in the heart of the city, taking nearly 3 and a half minutes to disembark, it is fascinating to note that our bus is just one among many of similar settings.
That experience remains, at least for us, one of the most pristine examples of care and togetherness witnessed overseas. Maybe sharing local journeys with countryfolk's livestock has greater benefits than we reckoned.
"Ever conscious of God, we aspire, build and advance as one people."
Shaunrick Stoll Dwayne C. Lennard Shem Walcott Wrenicia Springz Karlvon George
