Buses in Guadalajara

Buses are known here not as autobuses as it says in dictionaries but as "camiones" which the dictionary will say means truck. Las camiones in Guadalajara are an experience. They are usually quite full, which isn't really a problem. The dirvers, however, make it a personal goal to make as many people fall on each trip as they possibly can. I have not yet fallen, but twice been fallen upon, once by a small child (no big deal), and once by a big lady (no small deal). Pictured here is the fullest bus we have boarded so far, and I am sure it will retain its number one ranking indefinitely. We had boarded a different bus to go downtown, but that one broke (not surpising the way it is driven), so we were all herded onto this bus which was already pretty full. For a little while, I was pressed right up against the door, and had the wind knocked out of me every time it opened. We were on this bus for about 40 minutes. It was easily over 100 degrees.

It sounds as though I complain and harbor resntment for buses, but in actuality I love them. They cost less than 50 cents per ride, and less than 10 cents in Chapala (blog coming soon), and are a wonderful place to practice Spanish. In el centro, the buses will go as fast as 60 mph down very narrow streets with cars parked on both sides. It may seem dangerous, then, to ride a bus, but I figure it's safer to be on the bus than in front of it. I have gained much confidence in drivers' ability as they navigate sharp corners and tiny streets with amazing smoothness. The hombres of the Guadalajara public transport system are among the most skilled professionals in all of Mexico, if not the world.