Spiffy, huh!?!
"Oooh, a big vehicle with WHEELS!"
Yes, I do in fact spend massive amounts of time with 4-year-old boys. I can't help it. :)
Actually, this post is dedicated to Dad, whose photo request was for forms of transportation down here.
So, the colorful short busses are called "Micros." You pay when you get on.
The modified vans are called "Trufis." You pay when you get off.
The idea with both micros and trufis is to pack 1) as many people in as possible without anyone actually suffocating and 2) as many stickers, stuffed animals, and "Toyota" trinkets as you can fit on your dash!
To catch a micro or trufi, you stand by a curb and watch for one with the number or letter of the route you need. Usually their main destination is also listed. And look closely! There are micros with the same letter, but different routes! One has a little heart symbol by it, the other doesn't! When your number/letter/symbol comes, you just flag it down by holding out your hand. Then it and all of its many passengers come to an abrupt stop to let you on, and you go along your merry way.
When you want to get off the micro/trufi, you call out, "Corner please!" If you're too squished in the back for the driver to hear you, your request gets passed along telephone-game-style to the front until the driver stops. Then begins the fun of everyone shifting or getting off to let you down.
The public transportation routes were definitely designed by a woman. I'm pretty sure she was also either drunk, blond, or both. No offense. As a blond girl, I pretty much have the right to pick on my own species. :)
I usually take a taxi. Their condition varies greatly. Their common denominator is an awesome sound system and other spiffy little upgrades no matter how clunkerish the car is!
Oh, and bonus picture, here's a fruit car:
That's a megaphone on top, through which the driver announces his wares while driving slowly through neighborhoods.
Very informative. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe Micros are different then our busses. In Guatemala they had our old school busses that they painted up and tricked out with chrome and stuff. Is Toyota the most common make they have or just the most desirable or affordable? Are the trufis running around and you flag them down when you need one?
Toyota (or down here "Toyosa" I don't know why it's different, but they often spell it that way) is certainly preferred among taxi and trufi drivers. There are lots of other types, too, though and I have no idea about price/availability.
ReplyDeleteGood question about catching a trufi... I'm going to modify my blog to answer that one.
The first bus looks like the muppet bus. I like it and want one.
ReplyDelete- from someone not in the arctic circle
WHO ARE YOU? HOW MANY OF YOU ARE YOU??? AND DO YOU COME IN PEACE?????? =)
ReplyDeleteGreat article! I hadn't pictured them quite so colorful from your verbal descriptions.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are quite colorful. Nice post Caris!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, entertaining post! I nearly took major offense to the blonde part, but alas, we can be rather ditzy at times. ;)
ReplyDeleteCan I post a link to this on the volunteer blog?
Sure, Jen! Thanks!!! =)
ReplyDeleteTotally cool vehicles!
ReplyDeleteYeah, see that white trufi van? I rode to church in one like that this Sunday; it was carrying 18 people. No kidding.
ReplyDeleteCool! do they have "bongo" trucks down there? The Iraq people used them as school buses (or human cattle car may be the better description)
ReplyDeleteLike your buddy from outer space Mr Anonymous, I want the Muppet buss, along with the happiness hotel.
Love this post. Have you been in a taxi with a disco ball and neon lights yet? Pretty cool.
ReplyDelete