Our truck is in the shop. We had been noticing a funny noise, so we took it to a mechanic and - big bummer - the engine is in need of quite a bit of repair. But we never want car trouble to slow us down, so in order to continue life as normal, we've rented a truck, taken plenty of taxis, and traveled on foot to the places we've needed to go.
Riding in taxis gets my vote for the most interesting mode of transport so far. Each cab and each driver have their own unique flair. And while it might be a frustrating experience to be on the road with taxis, who are pulling a few illegal tricks in order to get their paying passengers to their destinations quicker than anyone else, it's kind of cool to be in that taxi.
You could feel sorry for us for our current car troubles. But you shouldn't. This is exactly the kind of experience we've been wanting for years! About 5 years ago, when we lived in Oregon, we heard rumors of a tryout in a nearby town for the show The Amazing Race. So immediately after our church service that Sunday morning, we drove down to a car dealership in Cottage Grove to film our 2-minute tryout, in hopes of becoming the next contestants on our favorite reality-game-show.
Obviously, we didn't make the cut. But if at first you don't succeed, move to Honduras, hop in a taxi, and just pretend like the place you're headed is the next pit stop!
And really, when we think about it, this short time we are living without the privilege of our truck is helping us understand 'real life' for most of the people we're around every day. The majority of those living in Tegucigalpa and around Honduras have never dreamed of owning a vehicle. Walking, riding a bike, and sitting (or standing) on hot, crowded public buses are normal, expected experiences for Hondurans. And for me, getting just this small taste of some of their daily obstacles helps me respect them all the more.
md
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