Member-only story
Bussing Through the Andes
The very idea of bussing through the Andes evokes images of chickens and goats and pigs as fellow passengers.
I found this historic South American travel legend to be far removed from my 10-hour bus ride from Cuenca to Quito, Ecuador.
The ride was not, however, without its moments.
At 7:00 a.m. lively activity sparks the Terminal Terrestre bus station in Cuenca.
Even though I have a reserved seat — second row, window — I’ve arrived an hour early so I have time to be sure I’m in the right place and pay my ten cents to visit the bathroom one last time.
I’m the first person to board the bus and settle in my comfortable, high-backed upholstered seat.
Just as I begin to think the seat next to me may remain vacant, a tiny Quichua woman with an even tinier Quichua baby eyes the seat. The baby cries as she unwraps it from her back so she can sit down — oh boy — this will be a long day.
But then she puts her baby to her breast and everyone is happy.
