Transportation in Peru

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One of the many things that has been an adjustment is the transportation in Peru. Where to start... Public transportation is a choice between "micros" (buses), "combis" (public vans), "mototaxis" (carriages attached to motorcycles), and taxis, depending on your location. Micros and combis are marked by color, letters on the lower right corner of the windshield, and letters on the top of the windshield. Taxis are marked by company, if marked at all (depending on the city). Even with the marked vehicles, you still ahve to ask everytime you get on if they are going to your location. The micros and combis have two personnel working, the driver and the cobrador (collects fares, opens and closes doors, yells out to pededstrians on the street...) Basically, the cobrador has his head of the window, yelling, the entire time. People will pack onto the micros and combis like sardines, personal space is not a practiced of even recognized concept. Sometimes, the combis don't even come to full stop to let you off. They will yell, "pie derecho", of which means, "right foot". Getting off with your right foot means that you are less likely to fall over. Micros and combis don't administer tickets, you just pay them as you get off. This actually saves a lot of time!



Lanes are more of a suggestion rather than a rule. There is usually just a blur of vehicles, weaving in and out of each other. The codradores throw their hands around to detour traffic from hitting them as they cut people off. I faced a traffic jam for the first time today on my way home, in which case on a four lane road (two lanes going each way) there was at least 6 lanes of traffic going one way and one lane going the other way. The concept of oncoming traffic isn't a fear for the drivers and they will literally take over an oncoming lane of traffic. Also, there were a slew of vehicles passing on the side of the road, of which is dirt. I had a constant fear for my life on that ride home... lol, even the locals were wincing at each near death encounter. But surprisingly enough, I have yet to see an accident here and even with the chaos they call transportation, I almost feel safer on these rollercosters of safety than driving with certain friends. I figure to drive on these roads, they must be incredibly competent behind the wheel. I wouldn't stand a chance!



I'll add more at a later date, with photos. Sorry this blog is so slow to start, I have been nonstop since coming here. I love Peru!!!

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