Mostly, the passengers, especially those from the United States and Australia, were self-assured and lacked timidity, so I was relieved of the responsibility of being their protector. If they were being robbed, they likely deserved it. If they were being imprudent, then everybody understood because they were who they were. If they were being foolish and naïve, that was expected.

There was, however, one occasion near the border between Turkey and Syria when I was moved to action. A young American woman was casually walking the bleak, barren land dressed only in a bikini, sandals, and a hat. Being politically contested and ethnically conflicted, the area, with its predominantly Muslim population, was also arid and poor, and the sight of a scantily clad woman was an anomaly to be corrected without delay. To protect everyone from the potential moral indignation, condemnation, and even violence of the local inhabitants, I had to act swiftly.

I proceeded to berate the young woman with well-founded arguments. However, the firm conviction and persuasive tenor of my raised and incredulous voice did little to impress her blind adherence to the principles of moral equivalence as she re-boarded the bus still scantily clad.

She accepted my censure without acknowledging that there had been any indiscretion on her part, and indeed, without any modification, went on later to practically demonstrate her bulletproof and immovable stand on the matter. I learned my lesson. “Don’t mess with the U.S”.

“You’re a good driver”, she told me later, somewhat condescendingly, implying possibly that I was lacking in other skills. Well, what was new?