When in Rome, Ride the Bus

I planted my legs shoulder-width apart, bracing myself for the inevitable unexpected lurch of the subway car. I ride the “T” (Boston’s public transportation) daily, but this time I found myself wondering if the various public transportation systems around the world are reflective of their respective cultures. Are the attitudes and atmosphere within the cars of the T products of Boston’s culture? I’ve spent time in Peru, where the public bus system seemed more informal and fast-paced. Could this be connected to the Peruvian culture and its values? The more I thought about it, while wincing at the screeching sound of the T’s wheels, the more I realized that these questions are also often faced by volunteers when abroad.

During pre-departure conversations with volunteers, we emphasize that the only expectation they should have about their upcoming experience is the unexpected. There are so many variables involved in the day-to-day life of an international volunteer, so arriving with a flexible, open mind often eases the adaptation to differences in the new culture – whether that’s regarding meal times, punctuality, customer service, or even public transportation.

In fact, I think public transportation is a different experience in just about every place you find it. This means that it’s an incredible learning experience, not to mention that people watching can be pretty fun too. There are practical lessons to be learned like being more aware of your surroundings, paying better attention to where you’re going, and keeping track of your belongings to avoid pick-pockets. But even observing how people around you are acting, and noting the differences – and similarities – compared to what you’re used to, can be a powerful opportunity for reflection.

I spent three weeks in Peru, and my favorite part of the day was riding the bus to and from our service placement – a crowded, hot, loud, and speedy public bus. Why? Because there was so much movement and life; it was unlike anything I’d experienced before. Buses here in Boston are very quiet, to the point where I feel guilty talking on my phone. In Peru, on the other hand, the ride is chaotic and hurried. There are two employees, one being the driver and the other positioned at the door to collect the fares from the passengers as they step off the bus. Their main purpose is collecting the fares, but a key part of the job is being as efficient as possible.

Photo courtesy of: www.andina.pe

As the bus pulls up to a stop, the ‘fare collector’ sticks their body halfway out the door and rattles off all the bus stops for the rest of its journey, so quickly that I have a hard time believing anyone understands a word they are saying. Then, once the bus reaches the stop, it’s barely stationary long enough for the passengers to climb aboard. The fare collector yells the commands “sube, sube, sube” and “baja, baja, baja” which respectively mean “come up” and “get down.” When you want to get off the bus, you yell “baja” to the ‘fare collector,’ hoping both that the other passengers will make way for you and that the bus stops long enough for you to hop off.

While this may seem reckless or dangerous, the exciting adventure seemed to reflect certain aspects of the Peruvian culture I witnessed around me. It is so lively, spirited, and bright, particularly when compared to the often brazen and individualistic culture of Boston.

Foreign volunteers can put their finger on the pulse of life as a local when they allow themselves to be fully immersed in the culture, to do as the locals do. Whether getting around by trolly, metro, bus, bike-taxi, or even horse-drawn-cart, if you too are observant while riding public transportation, you’ll start to notice its connections to the local culture.

Open your eyes, zip up your backpack, and step on that public transportation. You won’t regret it.