Tinted Windows

One of the highlights of our day as teachers is the bus ride home in the afternoon.  Everyone is in a good mood because finally, the day is over.  No more students, no more administrative frustrations, just 30 to 40 minutes of time to relax, chat with each other and plan what we will do when we get home.

Some people listen to music or read books, some nap, or stare out the window (although this is risky because you may accidently end up staring inadvertently at a Saudi guy who is driving and gets the wrong idea if he sees you looking at him), or chat with whoever they are sitting next to.  I like to eavesdrop.  It's less pressure than carrying on a conversation, but you get many of the same benefits.  This particular day I was overhearing a conversation about a recent trip to the mall, which wasn't too thrilling, until this happened.

"Hey, isn't that the same white Mercedes that was behind us on the highway?"
"Weird, it's almost like he is following us."
Cue the bus turning at the Rainbow Roundabout onto the road before our turnoff, and the Mercedes making the same turn.
"Oh, he is following us."
"Oh, come on, you are being paranoid.  He's not following us."
The bus turns into the street with the HyperPanda right next to our place... and white Mercedes follows.
"Really?  How do you explain that then.  He is clearly following us."
"Maybe he is just going to the HyperPanda."
By this time, other teachers have joined the conversation.
"No way, he is definitely following us."
"It's because of Katie's beautiful blonde hair."
"Yeah, thanks, Katie.  He saw your beautiful hair through the window and he can't resist."
"Well, if they tinted the windows or put up curtains like they were supposed to, this wouldn't be a problem."
"Come on guys it's not a problem, he isn't really following us, watch..."
The bus continues down this dirt road filled with construction that no one would need to go on unless they were headed to our accommodation, and the white Mercedes.... follows us.  By now the whole bus is involved and a collective sound of surprise, laughter, concern and absurdity fills the bus.
It appears this guy really is following us home.  And now, we are home, and we have to get out of the bus, and walk inside our compound with this guy parked outside and staring.  Luckily, it isn't too far.

Most of us have forgotten about the incident by the next day, but sure enough, as we round a corner not far from home the same white Mercedes is back.  He follows us back to our compound and parks less than ten feet away.  This time he has come prepared.  In his window is a big sign with his phone number written on it.  He is grinning and waving, and I can't help but laugh. The lengths people go to here to have contact with the opposite sex is ridiculous and often unbelievable.  There is definitely an element of creepy here too, and this disturbed some of the teachers.  After all, this guy now knew where we lived.  He never got out of the car, but whose to say another guy wouldn't?  Apparently it bothered them enough to complain to management, who had been saying all along that they would get curtains or tinted windows for the bus, but like so many other things they had promised, hadn't happened yet.

The very next afternoon, the bus's windows were tinted, and we never saw that white Mercedes again.