"I don't know anything about attacking North Americans, but the strike is nothing unusual. It happens all the time. The workers don't get paid or they don't get their agreed-to benefits so they go on strike."
"But Bwana says that we gringos are in danger and that the striking group will be coming here to attack us any moment now."
"That's crazy. They don't wish to attack anybody. They want to protest to Faja for their problems. This has all been planned and accepted. They will gather at the administration office, which is in front of the main office of the company, and will give some speeches, then go home. They do this all the time."
"But what about the attack on the bus full of gringos?"
"There was no attack on any bus. Some of the protesters saw a bus full of foreigners parked next to them and a few of the younger ones knocked on the glass and waved. No one was hurt and everyone got out of the bus okay. Who said they were attacked?"
"Well, there were rumors."
"You North Americans are funny. This happens all the time. The workers have problems and show up at the administration building to protest. Whatever it is they protest about, they are given the next day. No one is ever hurt. Why must you make such a drama out of each little action?"
Sure enough, b y 1:00 pm, the crowd had dispersed and gone home. No one was ever attacked and the newspapers the next day only reported the grievances, not the supposed attacks on gringos. No gringo was hurt or injured in any way, other than freaking out at the unknown.
Bwana showed up for work as if nothing had happened the day before. There was no general meeting to assure everyone that we were safe, nor was there any mention at lunch or after work. The prior day's hellish, near-death trauma became one more forgotten drama. Not one word was ever said about lessons learned, understanding the locals better, or exaggerating common occurrences.
Most assuredly, if a similar situation were to occur in the future, the same panic and hysteria will probably take place once again. "Those who don't learn the lessons of history --
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