Comments on: Busing Around Central America

By: Angela May

Angela May — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:53:59 +0000

This post reminded me of traveling around Southeast Asia on buses. There they had different levels of buses. First class was more expensive but had air conditioning and nice comfortable seats. Third class was an “orange popcicle bus”. “Orange” because that was the color the buses were painted and “popcicle” because they were so slow. I believe it was an expression similar to the english expression “slow as cold molasses”.

The Third class buses may have been slow but well worth the experience. You see more of the “real” country and get to talk with the other people on the bus. Things you just can’t get through a tour group.

I am so totally envious of you travelling and enjoying the experience. I am back to work on Monday.

By: Zhu

Zhu — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:41:38 +0000

@Final_Transit — I think they find these rides funny too actually… not as much as us though.

@RG — I think I was reading a French book, Maléfices, that I have picked up somewhere. Good luck with the new site, come and bug me to visit whenever you start it!

@barbara — Wish you the same! And keep warm, I have heard France was very cold… have some hot chocolate!

@kyh — New year was quiet because we were in a small village, but we enjoyed January 1st with a big adrenaline rush!

@Mardé — I would not want to ride these bus with icy roads, for sure!

By: Mardé

Mardé — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:05:57 +0000

Great photos, Zhu. Great description of those weird buses. A totally different world! But at least it’s warm and no snow on those wild roads.

By: kyh

kyh — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:43:47 +0000

Feliz año nuevo, Zhu! Hope you’re having a great New Year celebration in Central America!

By: barbara

barbara — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:39:18 +0000

Salut Zhu,
I will catch up with your last few days during my “blog break”.
I wanted to wish you and your comapnion a very Happy and healthy New Year !! You started a new year on the road, just the way you like it !
Wishing you safety and many enjoyable moments.

Bises and big hugs

By: RG

RG — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:04:45 +0000

Hmm…you never told us what book you were reading!

Btw, my website is now http://www.argee.org, there is nothing there right now — but there will be, I promise.

I’ll pester you to change the link from Deep Sarcasm to Argee when there’s actually something there

By: Final_Transit

Final_Transit — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:33:18 +0000

Hey Zhu,
Fun reading your narration! The local people are usually intrigued over why their ‘normal’ bus is a topic of discussion… hehe!

By: Zhu

Zhu — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:30:41 +0000

@shionge — Yeah, I swallowed so much dust in this trip! But it still worth it

@Khengsiong — Nah, because there are no windows, you can barely smell a thing!

@DianeCA — Brave, nah, just… in need of an adventure!

@Bluefish — It´s easier than it sounds, and it´s a lot of fun!

@Tanya — Thank you!

@Linguist-in-Waiting — I have heard of them, the local version of chicken bus. Must be a similar experience.

@Scarlet — Oh, the bus stops pretty much anywhere, that´s why it is so damn slow!

By: Scarlet

Scarlet — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:09:16 +0000

I want a bus experience like that…más o menos.

Plantain chips, coconut water, salsa music and sharing a seat with a goat?? Where’s the bus stop??

By: Linguist-in-Waiting

Linguist-in-Waiting — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:27:44 +0000

If ever you find yourself in the Philippines, try riding the jeepneys. That’s our version of the chicken bus. They’re also US-vehicle-inspired, and they are never on time since there’s no schedule at all!