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Published: September 15th 2012
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Chicken Bus - In the Real Sense
Yes, our bags are up there too. We thought we were experienced Latin American travelers via Chicken Buses, crazy cabs, 4-wheels through streets running into rivers- but today’s trip – trumped all others. Our travels from Quito to Chugchilián was one for the books. Highlights: Dozens of live chickens tied together by their feet slapped on top of each other, guinea pigs, too - and the harrowing bus ride clipping cliffs that we narrowly escaped.
Here is how this all went down.
The morning was normal and peaceful. Checked out of our boring, nice gringo hostal in Quito at the crack of dawn, equipped with bagels and coffee to go to embark on an easy 45-minute cab ride to the main bus terminal servicing cities in South Ecuador. From there we took a normal comfortable bus for an hour and a half to Latacunga, a sizable city on the outskirts of the Quilotoa loop, and our final destination of Chugchilián inside the loop. Again – all normal.
And then the adventure began. While awaiting our departure at the Latacunga bus station, we witnessed many unsettling practices. The most unsettling of which was viewing the standard treatment of chickens, all tied together by their feet, clumped
on top of each other so they couldn’t escape, a few of them hatching eggs on top of each other and going to the bathroom too- oh, and then there was the Cuy – Guinea Pigs. Dozens of those piled on top of each other in the same fashion as the chickens but fortunate enough to be placed in baskets and bags - all sadly up for sale. Guinea Pigs serve as cute pets for us in the US, but are considered an expensive delicacy here in Ecuador. No worries to the Guinea Pig lovers out there. We will not partake.
While upsetting as it seemed to be a mistreatment of the chickens and our beloved pets, the Guinea pigs - the real horror began when they put our packs on top of the bus with the chickens. And to make matters worse, they threw the Guinea Pigs up there too.
Sadly, the bus, the chickens, the pigs , our packs and us – were all going to the same destination, Chugchilián. The thought provoking reality set in that those chickens could become part of our dinner. That being said, I think I might become Vegan!
The
Scary Roads
Only wide enough for one bus. saga continues… the BUS DRIVER! - who clearly has an enviable relationship with God as he was so confident in his future place in Heaven we barreled down dirt paths, twisting on hairpin turns overlooking canyons that cascade miles below while passing vehicles ahead of us when there was no room to do so with dust spewing everywhere. Oh- and then there were some sizable avalanches we came to in which the bus drivers little buddies would go out to the path and roll the boulders down into the canyon.
We survived! Couldn’t wait to get off the bus- check internet and --- only to be informed internet in the total town has been down for two weeks. Here I was in the middle of nowhere with no way to communicate. Thankfully, it’s back up and running for the moment and I can post this blog.
We are in Chugchilián in the middle of the Quilotoa Loop at what seems like the end of the world, and it is truly amazing!!!! We have made some friends along the way. Our next blog will about those friends and our hiking adventure from the Lago Quilotoa back to our town
of Chugchilán. Our timing with the posts is a bit off due to the wind storms and intermittent electricity.
For the duration of our trip, we will be in areas with better infrastructure and will post on a more timely basis.
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