Peruvian Strike

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Travelled by bus from Puno to Cuzco. The bus was originally scheduled at 8am, but there was a strike somewhere along the way from Cuzco to Puno, so the bus could not arrive in Puno. We were put onto another bus that leaves 1 hour later, arriving in Cuzco at 3.30pm.

After travelling for 4hrs, the bus got stuck somewhere along the way cos the strike was still on. The villagers blocked the road with rocks, causing a massive jam. Heard from others that they went on strike cos the American products are now cheaper than Peruvians´. We waited and waited for hours, finally with a tiny police car arrived with 4 policemen. After some negotiation, the bus got to move really slowly, avoiding the loose rocks on the road. Then the bus got stuck again, this time with villagers demanding money from the bus driver. Sky is getting dark, the bus moved ahead slightly after waiting for another few hours.

Thinking that we can finally get to Cuzco this time, when suddenly someone threw rocks at the bus and shattered the window. The rock and shattered glass hit a mother with a baby in her arms. She cried, worried that the glass might injured her baby. The other passengers quickly helped to sweep away the glass off her baby, checked on her injury and tried to console her. The bus came to a stop again. This time, everyone drew the curtains in case more villagers start throwing rocks against the window. We waited and waited, with not enough food and water. Situation seem to have clamed down but the obstacles on the road are still there. Expected that we might have to spend the night on the road. At past midnight, the bus finally got to move again. This time smoothly to Cuzco bus terminal. Arrived in Cuzco at 2.30am. Took more than 18hrs to arrive when the journey was only 6hrs.

Glad that we arrive safely in Cuzco. Also hope that the villagers can achieve what they want in a more peaceful way.

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Comments

[cj]

Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! SM and SM!! so glad u are both are safe!! so scary!!! my goodness.... yes so much for us trying to "walk" past strikes at Argentina and Chile just to take photos... so the most "hiong" ones are in Peru! Can't even imagine myself being on that bus with not enough food and drinks!!!?!? i would have turned white and fainted leh... does that mean u two have cleared the food bag that looks and weighs like a 40L back pack?

[Jean]

Wat an adventure! hmm... always something adventurous at every trip to bring back! whoa.. tell us more when u gals back. Glad everything is alright now :)