So I’d like to share my thoughts on the buses of El Salvador. I’ve now spent a good amount of time traveling on public transportation here so far and I’m constantly in disbelief of the entire system and the fact that people who commute are still alive.
The buses here are converted American school buses (like the one you took to 2nd grade) and I guess each bus driver gains the rights to his bus because they are all decorated and individualized. Often you’ll find religious paraphernalia or plaques with inspirational statements. I had the fortune of having disco music and a blinking light the other morning and the best (I can’t believe I missed this) Deborah watched a music about drugs and gangs that also had something to do with tigers and Mexico (you’ll have to read her blog for more on that one). Anyway…so this is all going on around you while vendors constantly are getting on and off the bus in attempt to sell you (usually) edible goods. Commonly they sell candy, nuts or fruit, however I’ve recently had a woman wave a stick of meat in front of me to ask if I’d like a snack. I’ve also been reminded to cleanse my colon and repent to save my soul. So here is where the cynical New York part of me comes out- its not just that these vendors (and there are A LOT of them) get on the bus, but their method of enticing you to bu
y is essentially wave the product/food directly in your face, I mean inches away. Call me snobby, but I actually want to give people money to leave me alone. Now I know I had the luxury of driving my car to work for the last three years, but before that I was a public transportation commuter in both NYC and Philly and I know it isn’t always comfortable or peaceful BUT meat in your face?!?!
The buses also each emit enough toxic fumes that I think we could close that hole in the ozone by taking a few off the streets. It’s really unsettling to see the exhaust that comes from the back of these creatures (and even worse to smell it).
There is both a bus driver and a money taker who comes around while the driver “drives” the bus our destination. I use the term “drive” loosely because I really think its more of an action of erratically jerking a large vehicle around to avoid other equally volatile motorists. This is NOT an exaggeration. I have yet to be in a bus that obeys a traffic signal such as a stop sign. I have no idea how each day hundreds of people (both pedestrians and bus riders) are not maimed on these roads. It’s insane. All of the buses are also manual so shifting gears often is reminiscent of an adolescent learning to drive (that jerking accelerator/breaking motion). Plus you have about 2 seconds to get off at your stop, lest the bus keep going. And believe me it will. So tomorrow on your commute to work, I’d like you to think of Deborah and I, being jerked around, our lives and limbs in danger while street meat is offered to our faces.
Much love from the streets of El Salvador…
The buses here are converted American school buses (like the one you took to 2nd grade) and I guess each bus driver gains the rights to his bus because they are all decorated and individualized. Often you’ll find religious paraphernalia or plaques with inspirational statements. I had the fortune of having disco music and a blinking light the other morning and the best (I can’t believe I missed this) Deborah watched a music about drugs and gangs that also had something to do with tigers and Mexico (you’ll have to read her blog for more on that one). Anyway…so this is all going on around you while vendors constantly are getting on and off the bus in attempt to sell you (usually) edible goods. Commonly they sell candy, nuts or fruit, however I’ve recently had a woman wave a stick of meat in front of me to ask if I’d like a snack. I’ve also been reminded to cleanse my colon and repent to save my soul. So here is where the cynical New York part of me comes out- its not just that these vendors (and there are A LOT of them) get on the bus, but their method of enticing you to bu
y is essentially wave the product/food directly in your face, I mean inches away. Call me snobby, but I actually want to give people money to leave me alone. Now I know I had the luxury of driving my car to work for the last three years, but before that I was a public transportation commuter in both NYC and Philly and I know it isn’t always comfortable or peaceful BUT meat in your face?!?!The buses also each emit enough toxic fumes that I think we could close that hole in the ozone by taking a few off the streets. It’s really unsettling to see the exhaust that comes from the back of these creatures (and even worse to smell it).
There is both a bus driver and a money taker who comes around while the driver “drives” the bus our destination. I use the term “drive” loosely because I really think its more of an action of erratically jerking a large vehicle around to avoid other equally volatile motorists. This is NOT an exaggeration. I have yet to be in a bus that obeys a traffic signal such as a stop sign. I have no idea how each day hundreds of people (both pedestrians and bus riders) are not maimed on these roads. It’s insane. All of the buses are also manual so shifting gears often is reminiscent of an adolescent learning to drive (that jerking accelerator/breaking motion). Plus you have about 2 seconds to get off at your stop, lest the bus keep going. And believe me it will. So tomorrow on your commute to work, I’d like you to think of Deborah and I, being jerked around, our lives and limbs in danger while street meat is offered to our faces.
Much love from the streets of El Salvador…
Good God! So, it sounds like our Costa Rica bus trips were a piece of cake compared to your daily adventures in El Salvador. The fact that women are waving meat in your face is disturbing; however, it is extremely funny and I can only picture you trying to politely refuse their offer in your French-accented broken Spanish. By refusing their offer, you are probably saving yourself a few trips to the bathroom...or maybe not! Street meat can be very good...you will have to try it once and then report back to us!
ReplyDeletePura vida, mi amor!
Hertlein- it is SO GOOD to hear about your time in El Salvador! Reading this, I can actually hear your voice in my head and I feel as if we are back in Margaret's Place having 1:1 chat on the big blue chairs. I miss you and hope that you are having the time of your life!!
ReplyDeletelove and miss you times a bajillion :)
~Makenzie