Here’s an unusual and interesting bird’s eye view of the typical public transit bus which is used in most of Guatemala. In this picture the bus shown is the Orellana bus line that connects Antigua Guatemala with Guatemala City. Have you ever ridden on a chicken bus? How was your ride?
I am truly convinced that Guatemalans can not do anything in a mild, neutral, gray manner. Guatemala is a country of extremes and there’s no middle ground here. So it comes as no surprise that everything has to have rich, saturated colors with wild patterns that under normal circumstances could not go well together, but … Read more
These colorful public transit buses are just another way Guatemalans recycle the junk from the U.S. and Canada. Of course, we live in a colorful culture where women wear the Spring on the blouses and rich saturated colors are the norm, so it comes as no surprise that take the boring yellow school buses and … Read more
Ayudante is title for the guy in the orange shirt. El ayudante, the helper or assistant has in reality many jobs and a meager salary. For starters he’s primary job is to help the chicken bus pilot; that’s where he takes his title. But he is also the fare collector, the usher, the carrier, the … Read more
Sometimes things are so obvious that one doesn’t mull over them; that’s the way things are and you accept it. While taking the shot of this basket with the day’s groceries bought at the market, a simple fact became crystal clear. I thought well this basket looks kind of heavy, I am glad to know … Read more
The world infamous chicken bus reinvents itself again. The chicken bus that was born out of a retired school bus from our neighbors from up north; a second life or recycling ( whatever you want to call it); transformed itself into a mass public transit bus for the rural areas of Guatemala. Well, the chicken … Read more
Guate, Guate, Guate… vamos vaciooossss!
That is what you hear the chicken bus driver’s helper yell out as the omnibus makes its way back into Guatemala City. But there are all kinds of yellings: Antigua, Antigua, Chimal, Chimal, Chichi, Chichi, Xela, Xela and so on.
Guate, Guate, Guate… vamos vaciooossss! Guatemala, Guatemala, Guatemala, we are empty is what the driver’s ayudante (helper) would yell out if they are full, like this.
These buses are known are chicken buses on most travel guides. They make a great postcard and if you ride them, they will give you enough material for an exotic travel chronicle. They, however, do not make a good or safe transportation system. The saddest thing is that about 80% (maybe more) of Guatemala’s public … Read more