Life
could not get more blissful than this, I thought. The brilliance of the sun, the headiness of
the cool mountain air, Urubamba’s town square enveloped in tranquil idleness - they
restore souls too mired in the bustling back and forth of every day. Like
the inactive fountain at the center of the square, the people that surrounded it
looked as though they saunter through life, making quiet moments special and necessary.
I inhaled the soothing air, the foreign yet familiar air of the Sacred Valley,
and I fitted right in.
The
ride back proved to be even more invigorating.
The bus was filled to the brim, and we were enclosed in the musty smell
of woolies and the indecipherable sounds of the Quechan language. It sped off, leaving us with an indistinct view
of the empty roads and the mountainous countryside from the window. Enthralled by entire experience, we missed
our stop. Several minutes have gone when
we realized that we’ve already passed the sign to our inn. We pushed our way to the front while murmuring
perdoneme and hollering para aqui! The other passengers realizing that we are
scrambling to get off the bus tried to help us. It took some minutes for the driver
to hear them telling him to stop and several more minutes for him to finally
grind to a halt.
We
had to walk back three kilometers to reach the inn. And we couldn’t stop laughing the entire
time.
Back
at the inn we relayed our adventure to Brian and Gabriel, the inn owners. That’s
when we found out that for a bus to stop in that part of Latin America we had
to yell baja and not para, as guide books suggest.
Learning how to say "stop the bus" the local way was simply the perfect way to end
that wonderful day.
11 comments:
knowing the word 'ciudade' is something that could save your life. wait for the bus in the 'paradero'. traveling is more fun without travel guides.
but you always have a guide. you have me. and i've memorized all the guides. hahahahahhaha
that is admitting that you missed 'baja' in the guide book. hahaha
there is no baja in the guide book. it only says para aqui. and gabriel didn't say anything about that either. :)
and that's why i'm trying to learn Spanish instead of Hindi or Urdu. hahaha
What an adventure. You make this place sound really restful and idyllic.
yes, Loree. after the hordes of tourists in Cuzco, this place is simply refreshing.
Lovely tale! It does help to know a few words in a new place! But you had an adventure and a good laugh about it, thats what travels are all about.
Have a nice day Angeli:)
nice!!
baja!
baja!
cool, i hope i can use the word one day : )
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