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What you do when the bus doesn't see you
June 7, 2009 @ 10:30 PM | Permalink
So a friend and I went to a park-30 km away from Valpo-just for the day. It was beautiful with a lake, mountains, and big open spaces with cows, horses, llamas, and some other animal looking like it was related to a deer or something.
Anyway, after that wonderful sensation of feeling so small and feeling so far from civilization, despite the fact the highway was on the other side of the forest, we headed back at 515 because I had a scuba diving theory class at 6 pm.
Being only 30 km away (18 miles) 45 mins should be ample time to wait for a bus and arrive with time to spare-one of the rare profs that actually starts on time. We decided to take a short cut out of the park and cut through the wooded,tall coniferous forest. After admiring the moon coming out over the peak of the mountains we cleverly maneuvered our way through a barbed wire fence and waited at the park entrance for the white bus to take us back to Valpo.
We waited and waited and waited some more. Finally one came but did not stop, nor even slow down. Great...another 15 mins of waiting. OKay....The sun was producing its beautiful pink skies and the moon was becoming fuller-it was getting dark. Jokingly, Kevin said well we could walk...After unsuccessfully flagging down another bus and then trying to hitch a ride on the numerous coach buses that come from Santiago and then hitchhiking we decided we had no other choice but to walk. Luckily there was a path and the moon was very bright. Despite the fact it was getting cold, the various branches and thorns I clumsily trampled over because I could not see, the crossings of some dikes, and that I was going to be late for class-if go at all-it was a pleasant walk. Oh and then there was the segment where the path ended and we had no choice but to walk on the shoulder of Route 68 (the hwy from Santiago to Valpo), thank god it was wide, jogged hurriedly until we got back to a side curb where we trampezed across, half jokingly sticking out our thumbs and using our previously-found walking sticks to wave down cars.
After 10-15 mins of unsuccessful attempts, we were walking on the other side of the barrack when a massive 16 wheeler pulls up-I maybe was up to the tire. Seeing his lights flashing we assumed something was wrong with his truck and kept walking. But then he stayed there....Using my gringa power, I used the previously used walking, waving down cars stick, to tap on the window of the truck. The lights on the inside come on and I climb up onto the tire and explain my situation. He tells me he is headed to the Curauma (in the South) but can take us to the exit. After realizing it's this or another 16 miles of walking we decide to hop in. Hoisting myself up into the seat, nicely cushioned with a great view, we begin to make conversation and I see the Mack truck logo on the steering wheel-the company my grandpa used to work for. Profusely we thank him and he pulls off between the highway and the exit ramp where it is lighted. Kevin amazed by my gringa power, me rejuvenated with warmth and energy begin the stick waving process yet again.
After 10 mins of unsuccessful attempts again we see a Viña bus take the exit of Curauma, where the truck went. We can take a bus from here! We start to walk along the side of the exit ramp seeing as there is no traffic (by the woods) when another truck pulls up. I tap on the window yet again but he is on the phone and perhaps actually did have a break-down. We also decide even if he is another good samaritan that Curaumu will not help us. We decide we'll walk into the town and wait for a Viña bus. Then at that moment, our blue savior comes-a 407 Viña bus coming from Casablanca-a prestigious vineyard 45 mins away at least going to 5 Oriente where my friend Caitlin lives-perfect! Being that there are no cars, we wave him down with the miraculous stick and..he stops! We climb on and pay a student fare of $180 instead of the $500 it took to get to the park and make it back home.What a way to get a discounted ride!
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