The Beast

An acquaintance invited us to spend a weekend at their apartment near the beach. We had last weekend free, so we decided to go. The first task was to arrange transportation to the beach, about a 2-hour drive from where we live. The bus seemed like the simplest and cheapest option. As it turns out, it is the cheapest (about $3 each way) but not necessarily the simplest ... and certainly not the cleanest, coolest or most comfortable.

After 6 attempts to call the bus company with no answer, we took a taxi to the station to buy them in person. (Side note: along the way we passed another taxi loaded down with chunks of raw meat, stacked floor to ceiling and strapped on the roof.) After a bit of a run-around at the bus station we found the right counter and bought the tickets. We were pleasantly surprised at the cheap price -- a bus ticket for the 2-hour trip to the beach cost less than the 15-minute taxi ride to and from the bus station to purchase the bus tickets! We were also surprised when the woman at the ticket counter gave us our choice of seats, saying that we were the only passengers so far. Joking about our "private bus tour," we headed back home to pack for a weekend at the beach, blissfully unaware that the next day we would face ... THE BEAST.

Waiting to board while they loaded up crates of fruits and veggies. Turns out we were not the only passengers. The bus was packed ... and made a few impromptu stops along the way to pick up some stragglers.

I tried my best to convince myself that the seat cover my head was resting on was, of course, much cleaner than the ones staring at me from the seats in front of us.

The seats were about as comfy and roomy as they look.

Nice try, David. The air vents did not work, and the windows did not open = H-O-T! And yes, that is leopard print fabric on the ceiling.

Here's David, peacefully reading and trying to avoid touching the disgusting yellow curtain that was semi-blocked out the hot sun beaming in the window.

That would be the broken speedometer.

That smile pretty much sums up how we felt about The Bus, a.k.a. The Beast.

Thankfully we arrived safely there and back, thanks to the Virgin de Chapi.

In spite of the bus trip, we had a great time once we got to the beach. Our hosts were generous and hospitable, the apartment had a magnificent view of the ocean, and the cool sea breezes helped us forget the stuffy bus ride.

View from the balcony of the apartment ... an apartment which rents for about $350/month!

The neighbors have the same amazing view. David's mind was racing all weekend with plans to buy cheap ocean-front property.

Lunch with a view of the ocean = heaven.

Dinner while listening to waves crashing on rocks also = heaven!

Feeling sorry for our friends suffering from cold, gray weather. Come on down for a visit -- we'll take you to the beach, and we won't even make you ride The Beast!