Got any tickets?

Bus Lady: 'ello.

Me: 'ello. How are you?

Bus Lady: I am fine, and you?

Me: I am fine. I have a question about the bus to Mombasa. It leaves at noon tomorrow, yes?

Bus Lady: Yes.

Me: And it gets in to Mombasa at 6 am, yes?

Bus Lady: Yes.

Me: And about the return trip. What time does it leave from Mombasa to Kampala?

Bus Lady: It leaves at both 11 AM and 6 PM.

Me: And when do they arrive here?

Bus Lady: The one gets here at 8 PM and the other at 6 AM.

Me: (so confused.) Hmmm... ok. And the price is...

Bus Lady: 70,000 for business, 90,000 for first.

Me: Ok. Thank you. I need to SMS my friend, since the price is more than what we thought. (text Betsy, wait for response) Thank you, nnyabo. We will take two seats on the noon bus.

Bus Lady: Sorry, no. That bus is full.

Me: Ok. Then there is the 6 o'clock bus Monday night and the noon bus on Tuesday, yes?

Bus Lady: Yes.

Me: And the evening bus gets in to Mombasa when?

Bus Lady: It arrives at 4:30 pm.

Me: Are there business and first class seats on that bus too?

Bus Lady: Yes.

Me: And what is the difference between the first class and business class seats?

Bus Lady: One is big and comfortable. Also, you might sit alone. The other is smaller and with two people.

Me: Would it be ok if I looked at this bus (just outside) and look at the seats?

Bus Lady: That is alright.

Me: (look at seats, there isn't much difference between first and business. Text Betsy. Trying to decide if we should wait until Tuesday noon, or go Monday evening... Go back inside.) Ok, may I get two tickets for the Tuesday noon bus?

Bus Lady: To Mombasa?

Me: Yes.

Bus Lady: That bus is full.

Me: (kind of laughing to myself) Ok, is the bus full for the evening? The 6 pm one?

Bus Lady: No, but there are no first class seats.

Me: That is fine. I will take two seats in business.

Bus Lady: Ok, Tuesday evening bus? That will be 140,000.

Me: Ok... Oh wait, Tuesday? I'm sorry, can we go on Monday?

Bus Lady: Let me see what is open...

Me: (thinking, "Oh Uganda!")

Bus Lady: There are four seats open. Which would you like?

Me: (pointing) How about these two?

Bus Lady: No, you don't want those. They are at the back. You want these. (pointing)

Me: Well, isn't that on top of the wheel?

Bus Lady: No, no. Only this one (points to left side of the bus, up one row and across the aisle from us) is on the wheel.

Me: (thoroughly confused at this point... How is there only one seat that's above the wheel? Aren't there wheels on both sides of the bus?) Ok, nnyabo. Thank you!

(Get tickets. Boda home. And this is only the beginning of the adventure!)