For a play by play with photos from this last weekend, go to
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2277880&l=47f8d&id=8628451
And for more Ecuador observations, I turn to the driving system. Like
any large city, Quito is a crazy mess of cars and buses zig zagging in
and out of traffic. Nothing new there. But I've noticed that the
highways bring out a more interesting manner of driving. Highways, in
the mountains for the most part, cling to the mountain sides, allowing
you can peek out your window and look straight down a steep precipice.
These highways are a wide enough to fit three vehicles, but, alas, the
road is only divided in two. What to do?
Well what the Ecuadorians have seemed to figure out is that you sort of
play a game of chicken. If you see somebody behind you is on your tail,
you shift to the right of your 1 1/2 sized lane, allowing the person
behind you to pass. The passer then has to speed up and zoom down the
road, straddling the center line, while oncoming traffic has to also
notice that a car is coming down the middle of the road and
consequently shift a little to their right. This seems to be an
understood system because, for the most part, there isn't any excessive
honking that accompanies this operation and people do it all the time.
It's a bit unnerving when you aren't used to it, and even more so if
you're sitting in front. I speak from experience.
It was also interesting that on the way back from Otavalo, we picked up
3 people from the roadside who consequently had to stand in the aisle
of the already full bus. When we got to the tolls that the police
patrol, the ayudante (bus money collecter/helper dude) told the three
to duck down or sit in the aisle as it is illegal to have people
standing in the urban buses. They got down, but the police ended up
coming on anyway to take a look down the aisle, and there the three
were, huddled on the ground. The ayudante paid the police officer off
and we were on our way. So is the police corruption here in this
country. At orientation they mentioned that is faster for the pizza man
to get to where you need them than for the police to get there because
if the pizza place doesn't deliver in 30 minutes, your pizza is free.
My family confirmed.
I better get going now, but I'm already looking at some adventurous
something to do this weekend. I hope all are well and smiling!
chao
annemary
