We had to take a taxi to the bus station. They told us it was going to cost 2 dollars. As usual we assumed it was 2 Belize but it was 2 American once we got to the bus station. Then the bus station was nothing like what you would expect. It was just this open building with no doors. There was a part with seats to wait at and food to buy and then another section to get on the bus.Well we got there around 10:30 and they said the bus to Punta Gorda was at 12:15 then it changed to 11:15 then back to 12:15. So we waited till 12:15. Then at 11:45 we went to the gate to wait. A bunch of us went to use the bathroom before we left since we were going to be on the bus for 6 hours and didn't think we were going to be able to stop and use the bathroom. We had to pay 50 cents to use the bathroom and they would give you the toilet paper. Also, the toilets didn't flush and the sink wouldn't work. That was a great experience.
Waiting at the bus station.
So now comes the story of getting on the bus. You do not pay for your bus ticket until you're on the bus. The guy told us we would get on the bus at gate 1. So then it was time to get on the bus. They didn't open the gate they told us to go to. They opened the one next to us and everyone just goes storming out to the bus pushing and shoving. I made it through the crowd but no one else did so I was just watching to make sure they did. We went to the back of the bus to get on and they weren't opening the back so we ran to the front but then they did so half of us jumped on the back and got seats. It was a mad house looking for seats but everyone got them. They made the people who didn't have seats get off. The bus was a schoolbus without air conditioning. We just had all the windows open. Then we finally left and we had no idea how long it would take.
Ps. We saw these two guys handcuffed together standing next to us at one point. We were a little weirded out by it. They ended up having to getting off. Later on we found out the guys were criminals and they were in town for their court date. They ended up having to get off because the police officer that was with them could not get on the bus and they also did not have seats so that was actually a good thing.
Photo credit: Lexi
We got to the next stop in Belmopan without really any other little stops. The bus driver (conductor they call him) drove really fast around winding roads and then all of a sudden we would slow down and go over a speed bump and then speed up again. Once at this bus station the conductor basically told us if we got off then our seat could be taken. There were also food vendors yelling at us through the windows of the bus. Then we were off again.
We made more stops. Still could not get off to use the bathroom. More people piled on. Some people got off. We went through a police check point so there were a few people standing up and he made them sit down. Then we got to Dangriga and it got crazy from there.
Once we got to Dangriga, they started to let people on the bus without having seats. These military guys got on and where pretty young. They were telling us about how they were going to Punta Gorda to go to the border near Guatamala because they were trying to come over the border. Also, since it is a holiday weekend the police and military are more on their game. Guatamala and Belize have been fighting for a few years now.
The bus started to get really packed from this point on. Also, we started making stops about every five to ten minutes and would pick up anyone who flagged down the bus. The bus conductor kept driving really fast then slow down then go fast again. I tried to sleep at some point but every time I would fall asleep we would slow down again and I would wake up.
Samantha and I felt great about this bus ride...
Once we got to the Indepedence bus stop, we were allowed to get off and use the bathroom. At this point it has been about 4.5 hours without using the bathroom and for those who know me, they know this is a huge deal. I decided to get off and go to the bathroom. Dr. C and Caitlin also decided to. When we got back all these people were piled in the rows so we couldn't get back to our seats in the back of the bus and we were all scared we weren't going to have our seats but Samantha held my seat down and I pushed through people and climbed on seats to get back. Also, a drunk guy got on with a beer and spilled it all down Dr. Catapano's leg and through the bottle out the window even though it specifically said not to throw things out the bus window.
We had about an hour and a half after this to get to Punta Gorda. It was the longest hour and a half. We were all packed together. There were people in the aisles. Some of the military people were sitting on luggage in the pack of the bus. People in the aisles were on top of us and then we kept stopping every 5 to 10 minutes but there was literally no room. It was just crazy insane.
Once we got close to Punta Gorda we would stop all the time for people to get off. The bus got very empty. We never made it back to the bus depot. We ended up pretty much right in front of Saint Charles Inn where we are staying. It is really cute. We have big beds for a few nights so that will be nice.
The bus was definatly interesting. It was an adventure. I feel like there is more to satay I just can't even remember it all. Definatly a memory for this trip. Luckily our trip to Belmopan on Thursday will start super early but will not have any stops. We are riding the express bus.
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