The Pleasure of a Long Bus Trip in South America (part II)

Step 3 - Run

Out of nowhere the driver will appear - probably sprinting – jump in, start the engine and start pulling out of the station. Now all the people who were milling about will make a mad rush for the doors and start banging on them for him to stop. At this point you realise that you haven’t bought any water, gone to the toilet or worked out where on earth you are going to.
Step 4- Eat

I still get amazed by this next step every time it happens. The bus will run for about 15 minutes (it is a 20 or 24 hour journey) and then stop at a food stall. Everyone will pile out and start eating. Except me. I whip out my dictionary and learn Spanish phrases such as, “Err, can we get going now, please?”

Step 5 – Sit Back and Think
This is my favourite part of all. When else in your life can you sit in a chair, listen to music and just think for a full day. Landscapes, cities, food stalls and small animals drift past the window as I get lost in my thoughts. If you want to change your pace of life for a while then go to South America, learn Spanish and take a few long bus trips.