The Place Where Buses Go to Die

 

So last week I gave you a small taste of what the bus system is like here, but now I want to elaborate a little bit more. In a word the bus system here is brutal, but I say that as a term of endearment. I’m trying to use brutal in the same sort of way as “sick”, a word that has transformed from its original use to now mean “awesome” or “bad ass”. Every bus is like a thumbprint, completely unique. There are a variety of different body types, each has it’s own special “custom” paint job, and their own personal set up one the inside. It’s not unusual to walk in and see enormous speakers and/or a TV jerry-rigged on to the walls and ceiling of the bus. But of course, they don’t work, that would make the bus too much fun. So from a distance they look vibrant, and fun, as though you should board one just because its there. And to continue on that note, the conductors really try and sell it to you as they drive by on the road. The only comparison I can think of, are the hotdog/peanut vendors at baseball games, slinging their goods all game. And as another volunteer pointed out, when you hear the conductor yelling, “Masatepe, Masatepe, Masatepe”, you kind of think to yourself, maybe I would like to go to Masatepe. 

So inevitably you board one, and things go from vibrant and fun to something…else. And when I say else, I mean crowded. Not crowded in the sense of commuting to work during peak hours, but worse. So packed that you really can’t even move, which means getting off is a constant struggle and needs to be premeditated. Because let’s face it, you’re climbing over people and struggling to get by. And there is always a vendor with a five gallon buck standing in the aisle, selling corn on the cob. I’m laughing now just thinking about it, because you would literally just never see that in the states. Corn on the cob for the man on the go. And between the intense heat and/or rain, things can get uncomfortable. Things aren’t always like this, but that’s what you tend to remember and expect. The best way to put it, is that it’s not the kind of cultural experience I would eagerly share with my parents, or anyone who is uncomfortable with their personal space being breached.

The only existing link is that every bus seems to be made by Blue Bird Corporation. Does this name ring any bells? It may seem familiar because Blue Bird, an American company, made seemingly every bus in the US in the last half century. Think, go back to your youth and try to remember seeing the Blue Bird logo as you stepped onto the bus, and what the bus looked like exactly. Because chances are that bus is still running, only not in the states anymore, but down here in Nicaragua. I don’t know how they manage to do it, but the Nica’s keep these buses running well beyond their shelf life, and power to them, as they’re all still going strong. I like to think though it’s a testament to American Ingenuity. And it always feels good to see “All-American” written amidst all the Spanish bummer stickers and sayings plastered all over the bus. 

This is one of the more plain buses, just remember that my camera is broken and I haven´t been able to take pictures for a while.

Surprisingly, the bus system here is also pretty extensive. You can get anywhere you need to via bus, including (practically) every small village. And you’d be surprised at the regularity of some buses. I emphasize some, because the kicker is that most are pretty irregular in their run times. They may leave at the same time, mas o menos, every day, but they don’t arrive on time (not that there is really a set schedule). And this is due to the fact that you can be anywhere on the side of the road and flag down a bus. It’s now like the states where you need to be at a designated stop at a designated time. Just anywhere will do. So it’s the most convenient thing in the world, as well as the most inconvenient thing in the world if you’re in a rush. But if worst comes to worst, just flag down a pickup truck, as most drivers are willing to give a ride in their flatbed, at the price of nothing. Great way to get around.

This past weekend in fact I used the bus to get to Massachapa, a local fishing village to get out of the Villa and explore a bit. It’s a really pretty and scenic town, and I’m a little jealous of the volunteer who is stationed there. It’s a nice size town, there are certain industries that I would enjoy working with as it’s on the water, and the best part about it: good surf. If I’m lucky I buy a board this week, and I’ll be shredding by next weekend. Just get pitted man, so pitted. I got that going for me, and I’m working my way into the football scene down here so life is good. Tune in next week for a new section, School in the Spotlight.

¨All aboard the FunTrain¨ 

                    Richmond Ultimate