Route 607

We have evolved into a slow haphazard pace that involves a lot of walking, Valpo has lots of steep streets, twisting pathways and steps everywhere. Learning to use the transit system, metro LRT,buses, collectivos and of course ascencores which are inclined elevators which are shortcuts up the hillsides, worth every penny the 20 cents they cost.

Much of our experiences are trial and error with the inevitable hit and miss routine. An unexpected bus ride ends at a beach at the other end of town with a decent restaurant a block back. An LRT trial ride the first day became a long sightseeing tour into the hills. We bought their version of a Presto card, put some money on for the return ride, and thought we were smart by not getting off the train and returning to the same station thus avoiding the zone fares. Little did we know that they charge the max rate if you return to your departure station (to get the free loaders like us ). Turned out we did not have enough fare on the card to get off the platform.  Made quick friends with their security and he was happy to recieve a Canada pin.

One day took an inadvertent bus ride through a part of town we did not really want be in, decided to stay on no matter where it went. Turned out it was the last run and was heading to the yard/depot out in the boonies, the driver noticed us after the last stop,  to his surprise (uh oh, still kids on the bus), so dropped us at the entrance of the yard where we hung with the bus employees until the right bus was ready to leave.  Turned out this driver who started off calm and slow, (the heavy metal rock tunes should have foreshadowed what was to come), was the Chilean version of Gilles Villeneuve whipping around hairpin curves, over curbs, backing up steep inclines to make the turn so as not to run over a cliff, WHILE giving change, picking up passengers on the fly, just slowing down slightly, closing the doors on the longer stretches as he picked up speed.  If you can do the Mannix roll you're one step ahead of the  game!

At one point we could see our apartment over two ravines away (so close, yet so far ) but had no idea where we were or how get home, so hung on to our seats and waited for familiar turf before ejecting onto the semblance of a curb.