Its Because Im White

I used to date this boy in high school who as a joke would say, Its because Im white isnt it? Well most of the strange things that happen to me here in Benin I can actually say its because Im white. I accept that maybe if I blended in better here, aka was black, that maybe I wouldnt get some of the crap that I do, like people thinking its funny that I wash my hair on almost a daily basis, or the fact that maybe it wouldnt look so strange when Im the only person wearing a helmet, the list goes on....
So to the point. I took a trip to Natitingou earlier this week and I went up on this bus line STI, which is basically a glorified minibus and it was only 2.000CFA which is 1.000 cheaper than taking the nice air conditioned buses, the reason why I took it, I felt like being frugal and it wasnt really hot out. Good trip up. Two days later I leave and think to myself, STI wasnt so bad and it was cheaper Ill take it again, all is well I get on the bus at 6am, I had only slept 3 hours the night before because I watched a movie so Im pretty tired, I then get comfortable in my seat, put my headphones in and kind of check out for awhile. I notice that the bus which is normally pretty quick is not being so speedy today, stopped 5 times on the way out of Natitingou which is outrageous even for a taxi and thats what they do. Already the buses who have left half an hour after us have blown by, I was quite close to taking one of them, but whatever Im too tired to become frusterated and Im saving 1.000 which is the equivilant to 10 meals. Yay go me Im being bien integre, well integrated. Then here comes trouble. Im already on the edge of becoming peeved at STI for being so damn slow and my ticket guy comes around I hand him 2.000 and he says, no its 3.000.
me: I took this bus before and the trip between Natitingou and Bassila is 2.000
racisit STI worker: Its 3.0000
me: why its never been that price
STI: the ticket price changed
yea ok whatever buddy me: when did it change
STI: last week
me: i took this bus two days ago and the price was 2.000 dont lie to me its 2.000
STI: Its 3.000
me: give me the real reason why its 1.000 more
STI: its the color
me: the color of what
STI: your skin.
oh you did not! i argued and argued and almost asked to get off the bus to find a taxi on the side of the road. the jackass wouldnt back down. mostly because i was so tired i payed and vowed to never take STI ever again. Then we stop in djougou and the ticket checker guy comes around after and there is someone sitting next to me and I show him my ticket and tell him that I think its more than wrong that i have to pay 1.000 more than everyone else.
ticket checker: the ticket prices changed
me: no they didnt and its outrageous that they were raised 1.000
tc: thats the new price
me: i was on this bus two days ago and it was 2.000 the price has always been 2.000 so give me back my 1.000
guy who is sitting next to me: yes its 2.000 from Natitingou to Bassila
tc: have patience madame with our new system
me: your bus isnt very good i could have taken a faster air conditioned bus with bigger seats and a movie for that price oh and i wouldnt have had to put all my crap in my lap either, its 2.000 quit giving me the shitty price only because im white.
tc: have patience madame with out new system. oh and now hes giving me this look you know the one that 13 year olds give you when they dont really give a shit about your problem or they think theyre right, yea that crappy attitude.
me: whatever leave me alone shithead, i really did call him a shithead i paid 1.000 extra i should at least get to cuss him out.
I then put my headphones back in and look out the window when the guy next to me taps on the arm, he says that its wrong they are charging me more, and that just because im white doesnt mean im rich, i agree thats 10 meals for me i just had to eat because the STI ticket guys suck. Then he kind of stops for a few seconds and Im at the end of my rope with Benin in general and french is just not my strong point. I pop my headphones back in and think I can check out. the guy sitting next me taps me on the arm again, hi my name is something i cant remember, thats great as if I didnt already like Benin enough today Im getting hit on BECAUSE IM WHITE! gee thanks. I then tell him that its nice to meet him and that when i have my headphones in I cant hear him, hoping he will get the hint when I put them back in as hes speaking to me and I look out the window, a few seconds later he taps me on the arm AGAIN, cant even get through one phish song with this character, you couldnt hear me when I was speaking to you because of your headphones, yea i know that idiot that was kind of the point. I then explain Ive lost patience with french and I would like to listen to my music now. He understands this and leaves me alone.
When I get off the bus the ticket checker comes up to me in Bassila, have patience with our new system madame, I then proceed to cuss him out big time pull out all the stops. I know that you gave me the shitty price because Im white your buddy told me that and I will never ride your bus again, as its shitty anyway and i will tell all my friends in peace corps never to ride your bus again i will also tell all my other friends to boycott your racist busline you messed with me youve messed with all my friends. he really did get a worried look on his face and said, no madame please dont do that, too late jackass youve ruined your reputation or what little of it you had as a shitty but cheap bus line never again, in fact all my friends will now take your rival bus lines just to spite you id in fact rather take a taxi all the way than support your racist bus line!
So to all Peace Corps Volunteers please stand behind me by boycotting STI!