What major historical events do you remember?
When I was 4 years old, my mother had the TV on. President Kennedy was visiting Dallas Texas. We stopped housecleaning to watch (I was learning to dust) In Black and White I watched his assassination and the aftermath of the event Walter Cronkite and his reaction to the event
The road stretches endlessly, a tapestry of asphalt winding through landscapes that can be as harsh as they are beautiful. For those driving trucks, it’s about more than just getting from Point A to Point B. It’s navigating a world where every sign, every conversation, feels like an alien language. Not speaking English as a CDL driver isn’t just a minor hiccup; it’s like trying to drive with one eye closed. The frustration can be palpable, suffocating even.
Every turn of the wheel may bring a new challenge. You might find yourself thinking, “I wish I could just chat with other drivers, share a laugh.” It’s that desire for connection that’s often lost in translation. You pour your heart into the job—long hours, sleepless nights, yet that nagging fear persists. “What if I mess up because I can’t ask for help?” You’re not just maneuvering through traffic; you’re wrestling with the silent fear of being misunderstood, of becoming invisible in a world full of chatter and noise. It’s natural to feel this way. You’re in a tough spot, and it’s okay to acknowledge that.
Now, let’s dig deeper. We’ll explore the hurdles and victories that come with being a non-English speaking CDL driver. Together, we’ll shed light on the unique struggles faced on the open road. With understanding and insight, there’s hope for carving out your place in this industry. It’s time to navigate these highways of emotion and experience. Let’s begin.
The journey starts with the undeniable reality of communication barriers. In a profession where quick decisions can mean the difference between safety and disaster, not being able to express concerns or seek clarification can feel daunting. Picture this: You’re pulling into a truck stop, a weary traveler looking for answers, but the words slip through your fingers like sand. The signs are all around you, yet they feel like a foreign script. The anxiety bubbles beneath the surface. What if you ask the wrong question? Or worse, what if you don’t ask at all and miss something crucial?
Colleagues chatter effortlessly, tossing around jargon that feels like a secret code. Yet, every attempt to engage feels like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. You’re not alone in that feeling. Many drivers can relate to the weight of silence, the feelings of isolation that creep in during those long, solitary hours behind the wheel. “How do I fit in?” you wonder, while your mind races with thoughts of connection lost in translation.
On the flip side, each drive can also be an opportunity for growth. The road teaches resilience and adaptability. Even when communication falters, the truck acts as a common ground. You share the same highways, the same skies. Every honk, every gesture from fellow truckers can serve as a reminder that there’s still a community out there—one that values the art of driving over the words we fail to express. It’s about finding unity in the shared hustle of the journey.
Navigating through regulatory requirements can also add complexity. For those who need to interact with law enforcement, or fill out necessary documentation and paperwork, the stakes rise even higher. It’s a challenge that looms larger than life, asking you to summon courage from deep within. Yet, through repeated encounters, there can be valuable lessons learned. Every conversation, every encounter is a stepping stone toward greater confidence. With the right tools and support, these hurdles can become manageable.
Moreover, it’s crucial to seek resources—language classes, translation apps, or community groups where shared experiences can serve as a guide. There’s a wealth of knowledge around that can bolster your skills and open doors. You don’t have to tackle everything alone. Remember, learning can happen in small increments, often hidden in the most routine exchanges. Each effort fuels a sense of empowerment, a building block toward a more profound sense of belonging.
As we continue down this path, it’s essential to acknowledge the emotional terrain. The weight of feeling like an outsider is heavy, and it’s ok to feel that way. That emotional ripple is a genuine response to a complex situation. There’s strength in recognizing your struggle—not as a weakness, but as part of your journey. It’s the way you’re navigating through life, understanding that no road is without its bumps.
The importance of camaraderie cannot be overstated. Finding a network of drivers—whether within a language barrier or not—creates opportunities for mentorship and shared stories. Click on a radio station, engage with a fellow trucker at a rest stop, or participate in forums online. There’s a world of solidarity waiting behind the steering wheel. Stories of triumph, laughter, and overcoming adversity are waiting to be shared, offering hope and connection to those feeling lost.
In moments of doubt, it can help to reflect on the reasons you chose this path in the first place. The love of the open road, the freedom of the journey—those are powerful motivators. They can drown out the unknowns, push through the discomfort, and ignite your passion anew. Every mile is reclaimed; every obstacle is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Ultimately, life as a no-speaking English CDL driver is an intricate dance between self-discovery and perseverance. It’s about embracing the beauty of shared experiences, the strength in vulnerability, and the connections made in a world where language differences create barriers. By choosing to face these challenges head-on, you’re not only becoming a more skilled driver but also weaving a narrative rich in resilience and determination.
As you roll down those long, winding roads, remember that the emotion driving you is valid. The fear, the loneliness, the joy of little victories—all of it matters. And as you navigate this journey, know that there’s a whole world of support out there. You’re not simply a driver; you’re a part of a larger story being written with every journey you take. So let the wheels turn, and know that your voice, though sometimes silent, resonates powerfully in the hearts of many.
What are your favorite brands and why?
My favorite brands and why
My favorite brands are those in which it makes me think of fun laughter home and safety in a world, of a six year old.
Campbell’s tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich
Nestlé‘s chocolate milk
Peanut butter and red raspberry preserve sandwich
Fresh fruit from a tree
Freshly squeezed Florida orange juice
Toll house chocolate chip cookies
Riding a Schwinn bicycle without a care in the world.
You would think that with a CDL you would know better . One of the things they teach you is to look for and recognize signs.
The route I do on Monday and Wednesdays has a tiny little roundabout and going into it. There is a sign that says no trucks yet 18 wheelers persist on trying to get through. The City Bus I Drive just makes it through.
So it makes me wonder how these people men and women go from City to City if they can’t read the sign that says no trucks ?
Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.
The best gift I ever received was when I was dealing with cancer. I was living in Kentucky on my own no family around . My coworkers all got together and provided me the best Christmas I’ve ever had.
Write about your first computer.
My first computer.
I built my first computer. You needed to know DOS. In order to operate the computer it wasn’t a particular brand, but it did lean towards what would be called windows I don’t even think Mac had been invented yet or at least perfected. 
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
My favorite thing to cook.
My favorite thing to cook is a particular meal I enjoy a lightly Italian season breaded turkey cutlet with a salad and a vegetable . It’s actually a very quick meal to make.
The Unexpected Ride: A City Bus Driver’s Tale of Patience and Humor
Driving a city bus is more than just following a route and keeping to a schedule. It’s about navigating through a world filled with diverse people, each with their own story, attitude, and way of dealing with life’s challenges. It’s a job that tests your patience, empathy, and ability to keep a cool head—especially in the aftermath of Covid when the streets can feel a little more chaotic than usual.
One of our newest drivers, who’s had a CDL for years but just started working on the bus, recently had an incident that perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to drive a city bus. In training, we’re taught to stick to the schedule—if passengers aren’t at the stop, you leave. There’s simply no time to wait. But sometimes, passengers don’t exactly follow the rules.
A few days ago, a young woman waiting at a stop was on a mission—not just to catch the bus, but to wait for her boyfriend, who had sent her ahead to catch it. She told the driver, in no uncertain terms, that he would have to wait for her boyfriend to show up. When the driver opened the door and she stepped on, she made it clear that she wasn’t getting off until her boyfriend was on board, too.
Now, city buses are equipped with accordion-style doors, so she managed to step just far enough in to prevent the driver from closing them. But despite the heated exchange of words—filled with cursing and threats—he calmly told her that he wasn’t going to wait. He had a route to follow, and the schedule had to be kept.
Here’s the twist: The boyfriend she was waiting for was nowhere in sight. The driver kept an eye out for him, hoping to see someone running toward the bus, but there was no sign of him.
At this point, the driver, who is known for his laid-back attitude and sense of humor, continued on his route. The woman, realizing that the bus wasn’t stopping, started yelling even louder, demanding to be let off. By then, they had already passed two stops. True to his training—and his nature—the driver pulled over and let her off.
As she stormed off, the bus driver watched her take off running back toward the direction they’d just come from. It was a moment that left everyone on the bus chuckling, even though it could have easily turned into something more stressful.
In this line of work, humor is often the best defense against frustration. There are always passengers who try to push your buttons, but a smile and a laugh can help defuse the situation. Most bus drivers, despite the challenges, are compassionate people. We deal with a range of emotions, from kindness to hostility, and it’s our job to keep that compassion intact, no matter how trying the day might get.
Because, in the end, if you hold a grudge, you won’t last long in this job. There’s always another stop to reach, another passenger to help, and another moment to laugh off.
Feel free to tweak or adjust anything you’d like! If you’d like to add a personal touch or further expand on any part, let me know!
Every Sunday afternoon, I undertake the peculiar ritual of wrapping up two bus routes, ensuring everything is ready for the starting drivers. My routine comprises of these two distinct routes: 21 and 11. It’s a rhythm that, over time, has grown both comfortable and entertaining in its simplicity. The first leg of my journey, Route 21, marks the beginning of the weekend’s winding down, serving not just as a transition for the next driver but also as a moment where mundane tasks can morph into unexpected shenanigans.
Arriving at 10 minutes to the hour, I settle into my role. However, I don’t actually depart until a quarter past the hour. This seemingly straightforward timing can sometimes lead to confusion, as I discovered on one particular Sunday. As I stepped out to take a well-deserved break, a young lady approached the bus door with her family. Perhaps it was the sunshine illuminating her face or the enthusiasm of the day that sparked her curiosity, but her confusion about my timing reminded me of a classic comedy skit.
With a smile, I explained, “I don’t leave until a quarter after the hour.” The words hung in the air for a moment. Did I just offer her a riddle wrapped in a bus route schedule? She tilted her head, the look of genuine bewilderment etched across her face. “After what hour?” she inquired, as if unraveling the complexities of life itself.
“Any hour,” I replied, the simplicity of the response almost comedic. It felt for a moment as though I had stepped into an Abbott and Costello routine—a comedic exchange where clarity evades comprehension. The notion that time is absolute, yet so easily misunderstood, became the punchline to our strangely humorous dialogue.
This humorous moment revealed more than just timing; it illuminated a common human experience—the miscommunication that occurs in everyday life. Much like the classic routines of yesteryear, where simple platitudes spiraled into convoluted exchanges, this interaction held within it the whimsical nature of human understanding.
In a world where schedules rule our lives, it’s easy to forget that not everyone shares the same perspective or familiarity with our routines. The young lady’s confusion served as a reminder that clarity is subjective, often depending on one’s own experiences and context. In turn, it encouraged a fleeting moment of connection; an opportunity for laughter amidst the duties of daily life.
Ultimately, as I returned to my bus to resume the route, I smiled, realizing that even in the most routine of tasks, humor often finds a way to seep in. Each Sunday, while I prepare for the next driver, I am reminded that every interaction, no matter how small or seemingly trivial, holds the potential for a moment of joy and understanding—a small reminder that life, like public transport, is full of unpredictable stops along the way.
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Goo Morning
Raven's Space 