#trufi

[bluecastleinthesky]

While there are many forms of transportation in Cochabamba, trufi’s are the most popular for people to take. Between the hours of 7-9am and 12-1pm is the time of the day when the trufi gets most crowded since everyone is trying to get to work or get home for the main meal of the day, lunch. Trufi’s are relatively cheap for everyone to ride with the price of about two bolivianos per person. Sometimes there are trufi’s that have signs for the elderly that make it cheaper for them to ride. The trufi’s in Cochabamba are very easy to navigate around the city because they have a set route. It might be confusing at first because unlike in the United States how busses have set stops the trufi’s do not. So when riding a trufi in Bolivia you have to be aware of where you are at all times or they won’t hesitate to just keep driving. The trufi’s are a great, cheap way to get around Cochabamba and since there are so many of them it is rare that you will never get to where you are going.

[mickkie1-blog]

Distracted

[missemmacole]

:: i mean... i don't think i have words for her greatness :: @honeylarochelle is #theyesfeeling :: stay tuned for her new music :: #supafly #trufi #vegasmeatmarket :: (at 1830 Echo Park)

[tusiabu]

[nickmills-blog]

One of the most practical yet fun purchases I have ever made. Beats riding in a #trufi any day. #moto #bolivia

[untameflame]

a day in the life.

Before I tell this story, I need to give you non-Bolivians a little cultural lesson.

Trufies. A trufi is a car that, like a taxi, takes you places if you pay it to. Unlike a taxi, you share this tiny 1987 toyota with 5 other passengers. For instance, if you are in the middle front, you're sure to get felt up by the driver who is shifting gears under you legs because you're sitting 3 people where there are only two seats. But that's neither here nor there - except sort of because it's become part of my daily routine. Now for the real story.

Today I got in a trufi to go home. I took the last available seat in the backseat. Beside me was an elderly lady and beside her was a man. He was looking at me when I got in. That's normal. But then he continued looking at me.

So now we say he is staring.

As we continued on our 40 minute ride from the center of town to zona sur, I noticed that any time the woman moved in such a way that would give the man a view of me, he was in fact taking a view of me.

And when the woman got out of the car...about halfway through the ride...the man, now unhindered in his line of sight, turns his face to me and stares. STARES. at me. So, for the entire rest of the way home, as I'm facing forward in my seat, the man to my left is looking at me.