Teguc Transportation

Something I have been working on lately is being more independent.   I like the idea of being able to get around by myself, and one way I can have the freedom to do that is to learn the public transportation system in Teguc.   I still have a lot to learn but I want to share some things that I have learned.  

There are basically four types of public transportation in this city.  The first is the bus.  These are old, yellow school buses sent here from the States.  For me, these are frustrating to ride because they’re extremely slow.  When they go up the slightest hill I’m pretty sure I could jog faster than it is going, and they often seem like they are about to break down.  I’ve been on several that have broken down.  They also have an unlimited capacity for passengers.  They squeeze as many people as possible, and then somehow they still fit more.  As a result, they are not the safest option.  It’s pretty easy to get robbed in this kind of situation.  For me it’s also too close for comfort at times.  The upside to taking a bus, and reason most people use them, is that it’s the cheapest type of transportation— only 3 lempiras (there are about 20 lmps in a US dollar). 

The second type, and my favorite, is the rapidito.  They were introduced to Suyapa only about a year ago, and I’m so glad they were.   I know I sound like an American, but they are so much faster and more efficient than buses and I love it.  They also have a limited number of passengers they’re allowed to hold, so when the seats are full they’re not supposed to pick up anyone else.  That means it’s also safer.  Because of all these luxuries, it’s 10 lmps but for me it’s usually worth it.  Luckily,  my house is right by the bus/rapidito terminal.  By “terminal”, I mean the place where the buses line up on the side of the road.  If I want a rapidito, I hop on the one closest to the front and they leave every 5 minutes.  If I want a bus I get on the one with its tires turned out toward the street the most, or the one that looks least likely to break down.   If I am in a different part of town and want to catch a bus or rapidito back home, I wait in a designated area which is not marked or obvious at all… you just have to memorize where they are and make sure to get on the right one.  Rapiditos all have certain routes, so depending where you go you also have to remember which rapidito to get on (same goes for buses). 

The third type of transportation is the colectivo taxi.  These are taxis stationed at different places around the city that have set routes.  They always will try to fill up the car before leaving.  It is also a set rate at 12 lmps.  I think colectivos are great, the tough thing is that you have to figure out where “yours” are (for me, the ones going to Nueva Suyapa) so that you don’t end up going to the wrong place.  Again, there is no way to figure this out except to ask people and then memorize. 

The last type is the taxis directo.  These are basically like taxis in the States, where you flag one down on the street and set a price with the driver before leaving.  These are a lot more expensive— depending where you’re going they can be around 100 lmps.  If you’re trying to get back to Nueva Suyapa at night, it’s probably more expensive because the colonia has a reputation for being so dangerous.  Sometimes drivers won’t even drive to Suyapa at night, and if they do they often won’t go past a certain point.  This is a problem because it’s not safe to walk around outside at night, so it’s important to get a driver who will take you right to your door.  Luckily, I have some phone numbers of drivers who are trustworthy and who I can call if I need to be picked up.  This hasn’t really been an issue for me yet though because I never really go out at night. 

Unfortunately, my independence is being limited because of the situation in Honduras, and specifically in Suyapa.  My host mom, Doña Juanita, has been more protective of me than usual lately because crime has been increasing.  I am frustrated with the violence in the colonia because it gives us even more of a reputation than we already had.  This is a topic for another time though. 

I’m still learning so much every day, and public transportation is just one of those things.  The school year is coming to a close (school ends this Friday, and starts back up in February), so I am busy planning for my vacation reading programs.  I’ll talk more about that when I have more answers.  I’m getting excited about it though! 

You may know that the Bolivian government is not extending the visas of MCC workers in Bolivia… that means that six SALTers are getting kicked out of the country within a couple weeks, after just getting settled with families and jobs.  I don’t know where all they will be going, but pray that the transition goes smoothly.  I can’t imagine that would be easy. 

Thanks to everyone for reading!