Icarus Falls

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Guatemala

Some questions I think that I know the answer to.

Some questions I know that I do not know the answer to.

Some questions I have never thought to ask.

I never asked where all the good school busses went for retirement.

I now know that they come to Guatemala. The busses are not so different than the New Yorks who go to Florida to enjoy the sun and wear outrageous cloths.

When the busses come to Guatemala they and are repainted in bright greens, reds, and yellows. For some reason the flying bird at the front of the buss is seldom covered over but rather is enlarged and accented to give it the look of increased speed. The insides are plastered with stickers of busty women, Bugs Bunny and the Madonna. All these images sit comfortably side by side on the mirror that was once used to keep an eye on rowdy teenagers. Over the drivers head the buss rules are sometimes still posted explaining that the driver is authorized to assign seats, and that the same code of behavior is expected in the buss as in the class room. Without exception the horn is no longer blown by pressing on the steering weal but rather the horn has been rewired. The driver now pulls a red, green and blue plastic pony tail hanging from the ceiling. This is done often and usually as a form of greeting to other busses as they pass one another on the road.

Some things do not changed though. The seats are still too close together and their vinal is still cracking and chipping. Much the same music still comes from the stereo. It is as if the busses of my childhood truly liked 80s pop and are reluctant to give it up even in their new home.

You can tell the busses that are new to the area because they are still in the early stages of their transformation. On the very new the name of the school district is still written in formal black letters on the side. I have not looked under the seats but I am sure that gum is stuck their along with the old love notes.

In their retirement the busses are lovingly cared for. They are clean and well maintained. As we waited for our buss to depart one day we watch as the drive shaft was removed cleaned and replace. This was all completed in time for a prompt departure.

We are in Quetzaltenango now and will soon be taking a buss to Chichicastenango.

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