Bus's

Taking a bus in Peru is sometimes feel like being on an aeroplane moments before parachuting into enemy territory. Most of the busses are cramped, with seats squeesed in to maximize capacity. The lack of space is even more noticeable on the small microbuses where the seats seem to have been borrowed from nursery class rooms and bolted to the floor. Even on the crowded city roads the drivers do their best to get as close to Mach 3 as possible.

What makes it most like a parachute jump however is the exit. Buses never stop for longer than they need to so when you are approaching your designated drop zone you must cautiously exit your seat and try to make your way to the exit while the turbulence of the road buffets and bounces you off co-passengers as the vehicle navigates pot holes, speed bumps and small children.

Once you have signalled to the conductor he tells the driver to stop and the bus invariably breaks as near sound shattering speed as you grip onto the metal support bars in order to prevent yourself being thrown through the front wind screen. Even before the bus has come to a complete stop the conductor is already shouting "Baja! Baja! Baja!" (Down! Down! Down!) and so you leap off at the first possible opportunity, relived to feel solid ground beneath your feet.