Living in Lima takes patience- everything from transportation to the supermarket check-out line seems to take FOREVER. I know not to stop at the local Metro supermarket after work when I'm hungry and flustered because I will inevitably come-off like a mega asshole.
On Friday, I was obnoxious on a combi, but I can explain. I really want to avoid being the patronizing, everything-in-your-country-barely-works American, but I get frustrated. Combis seat about eleven people and they are not allowed, by law, to carry more passengers than they can seat. Bigger buses can, but mini-vans can't. But who enforces this law?
The Scene:
I'm out in "the field" with a loan officer and we board a combi that is basically full. At the next stop, the assistant lets on about five teenage girls and it's packed. I give the combi assistant dirty looks for a while, and then say loudly, "Sir, I believe the law prohibits carrying more passengers than you can seat. Is this correct?"
Combi Guy: Silence.
Me: Turning to the person next to me: "Do you know about this law?"
Person next to me: Shakes head yes.
Me: "Sir, I just can't believe that you would put these kids' lives in danger."
Combi guy remains silent.
We're almost back to the office, but at the subsequent stop, the combi guys lets someone else on, while no one else has gotten off. I lose it and exclaim, "This is unbelievable- I'm getting off!" I get off in a huff. The loan officer is still on the combi.
The loan officer gets off a block later and walks back to meet me. I'm still pissed, but feel bad that I made a little scene. We walk back to the office together- the giant gringa and the diminutive peruana. And so it goes.
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