First of all, I have never seen people drive crazier than they do here in Trujillo. Los Angeles… New York… Washington DC… you got nothing on Trujillo. Cars just drive through every intersection honking their horns and trying to avoid the cars coming the other way. No stop signs or stop lights- just two cars playing chicken for the chance to get through the intersection first. Fortunately, the streets are really bad here- usually dirt and potholes- so no one can drive too fast. If cars hit, it’s just a dent, and they move on. The second day we were here, the taxi we were in hit a motorcycle. The drivers both talked, exchanged some money, got back in the car, and drove off. No insurance to deal with and just a dent that will likely never get fixed. I will say that it has taken me awhile to figure out how to safely cross the street here- you really wait for a break and run for it. But, now that I have learned how to “play frogger” (I usually stand by a local and run when they do), it actually feels quite normal. (CRAZY!)

However, if you want to avoid the “frogger” game or have further to go than you want to go by foot, here’s how you get around Trujillo.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

1. The bus- this is the main mode of transportation for most of the people here. Buses run constantly and you just hop on and off wherever you need to. All the buses are painted with bright colors so they are really interesting to see

2. After the bus comes the collectivo. These are minivans which also run a set route- usually to places outside of the main city so they are a bit pricier than the bus. There is a person who stands in the doorway yelling out where the collectivo is headed and you hop on, give him your money, and let him know when you want to get off

3. Next comes the “economy taxi” which look like little tuck-tucks. These are either for those who have more money to get around or for going to places which are not on a direct route serviced by the bus or collectivo,

4. Finally, there are the regular taxis. This is how we get around as a 15 minute ride averages $2.00 so, by American and European standards, they are quite cheap, especially if you are splitting the bill. Now, don’t think that taxis are luxury… just about any quality of car can pass for a taxi. The one below I would consider a mid-grade quality.

PRIVATE VEHICLES:

1. If you are fortunate enough to own your own vehicle, the least expensive would be a motorcycle. And, you do fit your whole family on the motorcycle- I’ve seen it all… elderly grandparents being held on by the other riders, babies in their mother’s arms… you name it- if you can fit on the motorcycle, you can travel!

2. Next comes the motorcycle with a bed in the back. They remind me of the “family station wagon” as you just load as many people and items as you can in the back and off you go!

3. Finally, the wealthiest among the people own cars. And, as long as it runs, anything goes for a car here. (Anyone who knows our 2001 Nissan Maxima that you need a screwdriver to start the ignition- yes- that would fit in perfectly here!) Also, no car part is ever thrown away (actually not much is ever thrown away here) in case you might need it someday to repair a car. So, you often see abandoned cars on the side of the road just waiting for their parts to be used.

This is not an abandoned car but one just covered in the daily dust from the streets.