Advertisement
Published: January 22nd 2009
Edit Blog Post
Let me take a minute to discuss the Nepali public transit system. There are a few things I've experienced around Kathmandu that are totally indescribable verbally, public transit is definitely one of those things. However, with that said I will try my best to give you a fair idea of what it's like from a tourist's perspective. Please forgive the terrible pictures, it was hard to see what exactly I was taking and all the vehicles were in motion.
After being off sick for a week, I returned to my placement today and was just as utterly amazed as the first time I rode the bus alone. Let me say first off, I heard very early on that a tourist should never ride Nepali public transit, or get on the back of a motor bike in Nepal. I disagree. I have experienced both of these modes of transportation on multiple occasions and I think it is all part of an honest Nepali experience. There are multiple forms of transportation available, however as far as public transit goes the micro bus and the tuk tuk are most readily available. I ride at least one of these to work twice a day,
Tuk Tuk
Now picture at least 8 people in the back of that, Im not sure I've ever seen less than that. the way there and the way back. Most of my fellow volunteers are the same but a lucky few get to take multiple buses each way!
The first description I heard of the tuk tuk was a 'cute little bus that's much more ventilated than the micro'. It's a little three wheeled vehicle with an open back that would comfortably fit around 6 people. However that really means nothing to the Nepali folk... I would say 12 wouldn't be uncommon on one of them with one lucky guest hanging out the back and hoping the roof has a good grip! The trick to getting off the tuk tuk is banging on the roof.. hard. I have been told on multiple occasions this actually works but I have yet to experience it for myself. The one time I managed to squish myself into one (they're usually full as they're so little), I nervously waited for the landmark indicating I should get off, banged on the roof with what I thought was a solid bang, and waited as the bus continued on at a constant pace. Awesome. It's also not like the Nepali people speak up for a poor struggling foreigner,
Micro
This is the size of the bus that I was on today and easily had 25+ people in it. that would be too easy! Instead, they prefer to stare, and if you're really lucky you'll get a few laughs at your expense. In this case, I made sure I knew the word for stop before I left the house and as I was close to the driver I just asked him to stop, and must have pronounced it well because it worked. Thank goodness! I cannot explain how lucky I was.... I have been in many situations since then where things would not have gone as smoothly. Needless to say I try to stick to micro buses from now on... not that they're much better!
I decided today the micro bus I was on (a smaller one) could comfortably hold around 15 people. The one I was on was at 25 and kept stopping to let on more. I left a little early from my placement today which I've decided is a bad idea because of the busy traffic at that time of day. The last time I did this I waited about 20 minutes for a bus, drove for maybe 5 minutes, and then the bus broke down. This was a larger bus and the isle was
filled with a ton of people that seemed to think I was hilarious. I seem to be a big deal in Nepal, literally, and as the millions of people crammed on the bus unloaded, they all had to say bye to me on their way. I still find this a weird experience, even though it happens constantly. Anyways, as I was one of the last ones off the broken bus, I would have been one of the last ones on the replacement bus, which means one of the lucky ones half hanging out of the bus, holding onto the roof for dear life. For the sake of my sanity I avoided the whole thing and ended up walking home. I wrote the whole experience off as karma for leaving my placement early, but Im not so sure I should have seen it as a negative experience, but one just to be expected.
When I left my placement today it was around 1pm and I knew it was going to be a wait for the bus... but even expecting it, it seemed to take awhile. Eventually a bus drove by and specifically called out to me to get on... I laughed and said no because there were already people crammed to the door leaving only that special spot hanging halfway out the bus. I should explain first that on the micros there is a driver, but also a guy who collects payment and communicates to the driver when to stop and start through a series of bangs on the side of the bus. These guys get a cut of what they collect from the passengers, and therefore pack the bus as full as possible. They will invite you on the bus and then point to a space about 2 inches wide and expect you to fit yourself in. Apparently my friend Chelsea tried this out today and as she wormed her way in between two men, practically sitting on both of their laps, they didn't seem to get angry. Good to know... I've been too scared to try. My typical ride consists of me sitting in one of the back seats because to me it makes sense to go all the way in. The Nepali people however seem to know better and will fill up the front. I know now it's because it's near impossible to get out when you're in the back corner and there are double the amount of people on the bus that should be. When it's your turn to get off you better be ready to get friendly with the other riders because it's not custom for them to step off the bus and climb back in once you're free. If this was the case they may never get back on, instead they slightly shift their legs and let you climb over them... and these buses aren't big! Imagine climbing out the very back corner of a ford winstar with about 11 people you don't know between you and the door and none of them are moving. It's interesting to say the least! Usually I tell the money collector for lack of a better name where I'm heading and hope he gets the bus to stop. Today I was so far in I couldn't even see him, but happened to notice where I was after luckily a very long stop, and started my climb over the ton of people in my way. I actually considered just staying on the bus and waiting for the next stop but I was scared I would never get off that way. I have yet to experience getting lost of one of the buses that just trap you inside but Ill keep you posted for when it happens! I'm sure it will sooner or later.
I can honestly say riding the bus in Nepal is one of those ridiculous experiences where I am constantly amazed with my ability to take part in it. Today I actually had to take a minute to look back at the bus and make sure I had actually been squished in there. It must be somewhat similar to riding in a clown car to and from work each day. In a discussion later on, my friends and I came to the decision that the buses we're used to at home could easily fit 200 Nepali style... but I wouldn't be surprised if that still left room for more!!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.055s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 5; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0322s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Audrey
non-member comment
Miss you!
Andrea!! I'm so jealous! I saw your elephant pics on facebook and everything looks like so much fun! I wish so badly that I could be there with you! I miss you sooo much! I don't know if its possible or not but I'm home from Feb 18th to around the 22nd, so maybe you could call home between then? I hope to hear from you then!! Love you lots! Ps. Please, please don't fall in crocodile infested waters!! I think your facebook comment nearly gave mom a heart attack! lol miss youuuuu <3