Bus strike in Oulu

Last Tuesday the Transport Workers' Union (AKT) launched a nation wide bus strike in Finland. Tero, our host in Nokia, Oulu helped us out by providing a link which listed out the few buses that would be plying.

We did have a single bus service in the morning and in the evening and we decided we would use that. However, while we were lucky in the morning and managed to get the bus, we were not so lucky in the evening as we had a conf call. By the time the call got over and we reached the bus stop, we had missed the bus.

We had no clue as to where was the nearest Taxi Stop or how to go about calling a taxi to where we were waiting. There was not a single person to be seen. I had a good mind to start walking home instead of just waiting there aimlessly but my colleagues gave me such a startled look every time I suggested that, that I had no choice but to keep waiting for maybe GOD to send us a taxi!!!

Suddenly a car comes along and parks right there. I whoop with joy and decide to go and ask him where the nearest taxi stop is. However he just shakes his head and refuses to roll down the glass. So unlike the people here !!! My colleagues burst out laughing. Persistently I stand next to his car. He looks at me and points to a lady who is crossing the road and says “my wife”! Then it strikes me…

Picture this – 3 girls sitting at a bus stop on a day when no buses are expected. Along comes a guy in a car and parks his car right there. What does it look like? Maybe he’s trying to pick us up. And then one of the girl actually approaches his car. Obviously it looks like as if she is trying to pick him up….oh noooooooooooooooooooo……………shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

Damage control required. I wait for his wife to come and explain to her we don’t know how to get a cab. I give her my phone and ask her to order me a cab. She smiles, he smiles and I heave a sign of relief.