Busing to Cusco = FAIL

Dear Mom and Dad,

If you look at the time of this post, you will notice we did not make our bus to Cusco. It's time to update my Bus Station Survival Guide. If you haven't read the previous post from earlier today, please read that one first titled "Bus Station Survival Guide" and then this one.

More Tips:

1. Always ask if there is more then one private terminal stations. For example, we used "Flores" to go from Chimbote to Lima to Cusco. The average American would assume the terminal you are dropped off at would be the terminal you depart from if there is not terminal numbers at the terminal, on the tickets, no indication from signs, ticket tellers, or other bus workers to think otherwise. In reality, there could be four different terminals in a six block radius causing you to miss your departure. When this occurs, quickly procede to next series of tips.

2. Keep your cool even though you have non-refundable or exchangeable tickets, and they cost $40 apiece.

3. Talk to the security guards who helped you previously during the day with the bag-stealing incident. He will have compassion for you. It's been a long and stressful day. At this point he can sympathize with you. Tears help. These officers are actually there to help the "second class citizens" aka the Americans. They will direct you and explain your troubles to an employee who will accomodate you.

4. Be flexible. No more available trips/seats to Cusco because they have all been booked? No problem. Change your destination. We are now going to Arequipa at 8:00pm tonight. No purchase of another ticket necessary. Yes, they will make exceptions, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Keep talking to different people until someone will help aka the security guards.

5. Find the nearest place that serves beer. It's been a stressful day so far. A beer is well deserved.

6. Locate another Internet cafe. A five hour layover leaves ample amount of time to email family and friends.

Cusco will have to wait until we return from Bolivia. Pictures are scarce until we purchase a new camera. My screen is now broken and the flash doesn't work. Charlie's camera turns on and then off within 15 seconds of first hitting the power button. We will get this little kink worked out as well. Nothing can stop this pair. We are still wearing smiles on our faces.

Say a prayer for us. It's been a long day.

Love and miss you,

Matti Jo and Charles Dale