Micros, Colectivos, and.....SALSA DANCING

So I thought I'd give you all a little lesson on the transportation system here. First you have the micros. A micro is an OLD OLD OLD bus that feels like it is going to split in two at any moment. The brakes often don't work which makes it interesting getting on and off. When you are finally on the bus, at times you have to stand up...and by at times i mean all of the time. Don't worry, they have bars on top to hold on to, but if you aren't REALLY holding on with two hands, arms braced and ready for anything, you will inevitably fall into the people behind you...if I didn't stick out enough all ready, now I'm the tall blond giant falling over everyone on the bus. The buses also REALLY like to get close to other buses when they are driving or parking/pulling out. There have been times where I've almost grabbed the knee to the person sitting next to me out of fear for my life. Some of the micros have character. Last night I got on a micro with black lights, stuffed animals hanging from the front window and as David would call it, BLING BLING swinging back and forth on the mirror. The music was also shaking the bus and If we weren't moving it would feel like a regular dance club.
Colectivo drivers are equally crazy sometimes. A colectivo is a small black car...i'm pretty sure its made out of plastic. Anyways, it can fit 4 passengers and is not like a taxi because it picks up four random people and has specific routs. If you ever come to Chile, one of the most important things to remember is don't slam the doors of a colectivo...the driver will get very angry. This is one thing I learned in the first few days. I also fear for my life sometimes in colectivos...especially on the hills that the drivers speed up and down. Hope you enjoyed this little lesson on the transportation system.
SALSA DANCING...I love it. Went last night and I actually feel like I am improving. Its funny,I haven't really ever been dancing in the US...besides line dancing...but I get the impression that its mostly rap or hard rock and people crammed into a small room barely having space to move. Here is so different. They play all sorts of music like salsa, merenge, regatone, rock, and indiginous music. Last night the last few songs were from macchu picchu in Peru. We also did the queka...and everyone whipped out their hankerchiefs and EVEYONE knew the dance...they must jsut be born with it or something. I love this culture.
Ok, I guess thats it. Today I am going camping on the beach...pray that we don't freeze to death. Hope everyone is doing well
Cristina
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