What Happens to Your Old School Bus When it Dies?

Just to give everyone an update, tonight is our last night in El Salvador. Currently we are in Perquin, which we will post about in the next few days. Pictures have been updated. We have loved our time in El Salvador, but are also excited about heading into Honduras. We are particularly excited to head over to the Caribbean coast, since we have spent so much time up in the mountains. We are looking forward to resting next to the beach for a while with tropical drinks in hand. As much fun as we have been having lately, we are definitely tired from all of the buses that we have been taking to move from place to place. In fact, in the last three days we have taken 7 chicken buses, 1 micro bus, and two pickup trucks. It can be hard work when you are on Permacation.

Since we have reached Belize, our travel has consisted of several main types of transport. In order of frequency of use: 1. Chicken Bus (recommissioned US school bus), 2. Microbus (small as a minivan or even slightly larger seating 8-20 people depending on stacking of passengers), 3. Pullman-Especials (on rare occasion you find ¨real¨ passenger buses with more comfortable seats, costs a little more but is always worth it), 4. Pickup Truck (sometimes with handrails, sometimes you just hold on to the side), 5. Boats, and 6. Tuktuks (called by different names in different places, but they are the small taxis that fit 2-3 people in a makeshift scooter).

¨Chicken Buses¨ are legend in Central America. They are an essential part of the local and traveler experience. We thought it would be fun to share a little bit about riding in Chicken Buses, because the occasional picture in our album does not fully convey the experience.

The Basics: Chicken Buses, and yes, that is their real name, are old school buses that the US, and Canada to a lesser degree, have given or sold to central american countries. Sometimes you can still see the old district number or a sports sticker that gives away the bus´ original home. They are not only the cheapest public transportation, in many areas they are the only option. Bus companies take pride in their buses; they will repaint them, add loud stereo systems, chrome grills, loud truck horns, and even lights inside and out to ¨pimp out¨ their bus. The best companies add good overhead racks and reupholster the seats. From a passenger´s perspective, it is always better to catch an old school bus for junior high or high school than one for elementary school. Otherwise, you will end up with less than desired leg room. Watch out for the wheel well!

The basics of riding on the bus are a little different depending on area. In Guatemala, there is always an ¨ayudante¨ (helper) who will throw, literally, your bag on the roof of the bus. You then climb into the bus from the front or the back and hopefully find a seat. The ayudante will come by and collect your money later in the ride. However, buses in El Salvador often do not have racks on the top of the bus or in the bus, so our bags end up in our lap or next to the driver. Some buses we have come across here do not have an ayudante and you pay the driver up front, go through a turnstile and then fight your way back toward the back. We have come to love the ayudante as he tells us when to get off and lifts our bags for us. These buses get pretty packed and the ayudante moves traffic along. It it not uncommon to see people sitting 3 (or even 4) to a bench. Children go on laps and never get seats. We ourselves have had people sit on us, have sat on old tires in the back, and have held onto the tiniest edge to rest on. Those who are much larger than us will even sit in the aisle, a little bit of cheek on each nearby bench! In short, thousands of safety violations occur every ride.

As we mentioned earlier these buses are the only means of transportation in some areas. This means that you see some odd things being transported. Here are some we thought you might find as interesting as we did. Chickens. Yes, usually in boxes when they are small, occasionally, however you will see a large one. Produce of all kinds that are lifted to the top of the bus on people´s heads or backs. A kitty in a bag in a basket, very sad. Mysterious leaking box in the rack over our heads. Small potted trees. 10 bird cages. Turkey in a bag with his head sticking out.

Chicken buses are legendary in Central America and with good reason, they are the primary means of transportation for many many residents and for cheap travelers like us! They can be both fun and exhausting, but are always entertaining.