Hitting the Road to Spend New Year with my Mother

in Daily Blog6 days ago (edited)

update at the end.

Against all odds, here I am taking a bus for a 12-hour trip to my home town.

It's not the best time of the year to travel by bus, but I had no choice. At the last minutes, there was a changes of plans with my nephew's ride (two additional priority passengers forced me to either stay alone for new year or travel by bus to see my mother, whose health has not been the best lately. At 83 all that is expected and only God knows how much time left she has.

1000195510.jpg



Most people travel to their hometowns around this time of the year, which collapses the main terminals. There were no tickets available until January 2nd.

1000195637.jpg


So, I had to take my chances via improvised terminals with not-the-best vehicles.

1000195585.jpg


For four hours, I waited for this bus to get ready.

1000195493.jpg


Lots of improvisation, inefficiency handling passengers luggage and payment, and just sheer idiosyncrasy doing its thing.

1000195581.jpg


1000195499.jpg


I just hope we do not have mechanical issues or issues at the checking points.

1000195802.jpg


Uncomfortable seats, no air conditioner and some little kids crying, but let's take it easy.

1000195767.jpg

Thanks for stopping by.

Update

2 hours after we left Caracas, the bus broke down.

1000195819.jpg

No internet signal in that área.
Luckily, there was a wifi signal we could pay for in a humble house and the driver was able to contact his friends to send another bus to rescue us.

1000195835.jpg


People's generosity at it's best.

1000196020.jpg


Passengers and children feeling at home.while we.keep waiting (almost two hours now)

1000196022.jpg

Almost 4 hours stranded

1000196112.jpg

After 5 hours waiting, the rescue/replacement bus finally arrive. Now, we have to wait for some people ro eat at El Guapo.

1000196317.jpg

Needless to Say, everyone is pissed. The bus "company" handdled the emergency very irresponsibly and inefficiently.

Last update

We are 1 hour away from Home. That Will make a total of 18 hours since I left Caracas. ETA: 8:00 am

1000196478.jpg