POST 5:  The Streets (Taxis, Micros, Metropolitano, and Traffic)

Ok so I wanted to dedicate a whole post to talking about what its like to step out on a sidewalk here, I know that may be strage but it is different than in the US, or at least where I live in New England.  First of all you have to realize that since Lima is the capital of Peru there is a lot of traffic, its very busy like New York City and everyone kind of pushes their own way.  Also, its strange, the cars look different here, maybe a bit older, none of them that I have seen have been automatics, and the different look might be from direct deals with some japanese companies to get different models than in the US.  Also everyone is a crazy driver here. They barely stop for Stop signs, dont use turn signals… its a mess.  Well lets get started:

Also similarly to NYC there are lots of taxis, like every other car!  But, instead of being designated a taxi by the yellow and black NYC taxi design, Taxis here just are normal cars of all varieties and sizes.  The official registered ones (there are some unofficial ones that you avoid) have a red and white striped label on their sides and furthermore they usually have a taxi sign on top and taxi on the side.  So you flag down a taxi but instead of just getting in, telling the driver the address, and paying the meter fee, instead you tell them major intersections or landmarks near your destination and then bargain with the driver before you get in.  So you might say “Sir, I`m going to “28 de Julio” one block before “Republica de Panama”  then the driver will visualize the route and destination and say “Ok 10 soles” and then you say “But I usually go for 9!” and he will say “Ok” or maybe “No” and drive away!  But usually they say yes and you get in and they drive you there.  That way no matter how long it took you to get there (traffic or no traffic) you pay what you previously decided on: 9 soles, about 3,4 dollars. So Andrea and I usually take a Taxi to get to her mom`s house which is 2 districts over in Magdalena and for a 20/15 minute drive its only $4!  

So if people aren´t taking Taxis they are probably taking Micros (pronounced Mee-Crow).  The Micros are little buses (or big buses actually) with their designated routes written on the side of the bus.  Furthermore there are specific colors for specific areas.  Well anyways the micro is run by 2 people: the driver of course and then the “Cobrador.” This second person stands on the steps to enter the bus and yells out the destinations they are going to really fast like an auction man.  If this is your micro (aka its going to your destination) then you get on really quickly and find a seat or stand (during rush hour, micros are packed full! So we opt for a taxi instead of taking a micro) and then the driver comes along and collects money, its usually only 1 sol for the ride.  And then you just have to jump off when its your stop!  Very fast paced little vehicles.

I should mention that there are these buses called Movilidades that kids take to school (they are in session now because it is their winter and their big 3 month break is december, january, and februrary instead of june, july, august like here) instead of big yellow schoolbuses and these are like 100% run by women drivers wheras I have yet to see a female micro or taxi driver.  I just thought it was an interesting fact

Finally there is this new system called the Metropolitano.  Its very much a subway system except above ground with buses and not trains on tracks.  Also there is only one line that goes north and south so its not too complicated yet, but hey, they just opened it next week.  This is what Andrea and I take to get to work every day.  It gets crowded in the mornings but at least everything is really clean since it is so brand new.  But yeah its just 1.50 soles and you pay with your prepaid card and we get on at 28 de Julio, get off at Estacion Central, then catch a taxi or micro to the hospital we are working at and then at the end of the day do the whole thing backwards.  Pretty cheap transportation if you ask me!

Ah and last thing, though I know this is a pretty full post, I wanted to mention that there are lots of street performers (I’ve seen fire baton throwers, jugglers etc.), food vendors (with cookies, candies), and window washers that will come to your window when you are stopped at a red light and ask for money.  Some of them are older/adults but many are super young, i’ve seen 5/4 year olds!  Crazy that that is their life every day, so different from mine and how I grew up!