Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Virtual SA: Hop Aboard the Chicken Bus- Nicarauga

 

Well, here is a trip down memory-lane.

Remember the yellow school-buses of the 1970's?

Apparently, they all ended up in Central America.

Bought up cheap, refurbished, sometime brightly painted...they are called

Chicken Bus

...technically autobus de pollo...or camioneta de pollo...

Built to seat 50 they are frequently seen with 100 or more...even people seated on the roof...also don't be surprised to find cages of not only chickens...but a goat or sheep being transported.

If you are heavily into comfort and cleanliness...a chicken bus is NOT for you.

They are REAL...and local...and unique...and cheap.

They can be also smelly...hot...crowded...and feature livestock. 

But part of the authentic Nicaraguan experience.

So away we go.

Chicken Bus Ride

https://youtu.be/l5ljOGd0ra0

 

One of the more colorful chicken buses.

The plus side of this local travel is you can get almost anywhere...an hour's travel costs between 1-2 dollars...and local food and drink (and even ice-cream) vendors will come aboard during village stops and hawk their wares.

Loudly.

And nothing is expensive.


Perhaps one of the most interesting things is the lack of pickpockets/crime on these buses.

...caveat...except Guatemala...

On one of their posh city buses pickpockets are a fact of life and even whole buses and their passengers have been robbed.

Not so with chicken buses.


I hope you have enjoyed this adventure!

 

Guatemala: Pimp my Chicken Bus

https://youtu.be/CxOcQ0W0lmU