A brief "Chicken Bus" Interlude...

OK, let me rephrase that- upmarket chicken bus!
The "chicken bus" is an essential part of South and Central American transport- basically they are former US school buses that get retired from the beat in the US, and sent further south. Once down south, they get decked out in all sorts of amazing colours and patterns and used as a means of transport. The "chicken" bit apparently comes from the fact that often poultry and other livestock are taken on the bus. But having said that, I have also heard that it is because the buses would stop for anyone- even a chicken flapping its wing. Perhaps it's a combo of these??..

Now, I must admit that my own chicken bus experience has been limited to short distances within a city, and not long distance. BUT! I have unwittingly purchased tickets for what could only be described as "upmarket chicken buses" for long haul rides..

HOW TO TELL YOU HAVE PURCHASED A TICKET FOR AN UPMARKET CHICKEN BUS
* When asking to buy a ticket for the next bus, the lady at the counter convinces you to buy a ticket for the 3pm bus- and it's currently 3.25pm.
* When asking the person behind the counter if they need to see your passport- they laugh!
* Despite the journey being international and taking around 14 hours, it costs around $15 Australian.
* When you find your bus, you discover that the windscreen has a gigantic crack completely through it. It's ok though- there's masking tape holding it together.
* When stowing your luggage under the bus (yes, I told you it was an upmarket chicken bus), the bloke doesn't give you a receipt to claim your bag back. When you ask why, he laughs.
* You board the bus to find that it is full of local women with babies strapped to themselves in brightly coloured slings (plus or minus birds- no, not chickens, but budgies!)
* It's now 4pm, and the bus was due to leave at 3pm- the natives start to get restless and begin a chant. They stomp their feet and yell "VAMOS TORTUGA!" (Translation- let's go, tortoise!!) This chant is again trotted out any time the bus starts to slow (crusing for more passengers- great idea! It's certainly not stinking hot and full to capacity in the bus!?), or when the driver suggests stopping for a snack break.

They are a whole heap of fun, and you can meet some great people (when you're crammed in next to them!)

I swear, I WILL post about Peru (Part One), but it's dinner time, OK!!