Taxi Loco!!

Hello Everyone!

Please take a look at the picture to the left. Ok, now we would like to tell you a story. . . we were in this taxi today. Let's start at the beginning. We left the SKIP center today after we were done working and started the search for a taxi. Remember that the SKIP center is located in El Porvenir which is a very poor district. The taxis can be hard to find and most of the time at very high prices (especially because we are white). When we are outside of the SKIP center we are not allowed to go explore on our own or take off our lovely blue SKIP vests. These vests identify us as SKIP volunteers and most of the residents in El Porvenir respect SKIP and will not mug us (but we were warned that if we went too far off the trail the vests would not protect us).

Now back to the taxi. After work we, surprisingly, found a cab rather quickly. We got ready for the expected haggling for a 15 soles cab ride. However, this cabbie offered to take us all the way back to Huanchaco (25-30 min. ride to our house) for 12 soles! We didn't argue and got in. It wasn't the most comfortable cab, but we were not about to complain for that price! Our cabbie pulled out and turned right, when every other cab we have been in has turned left to get back to our house. Not really panicking yet, but we made sure he knew where we were going. He told us not to worry but that he knew a shortcut. So we are driving along and all the brick houses disappear and turn into these sketch straw huts. We have no idea where we are. We have left the trail and no longer anywhere near it.

Next our cabbie hits a speed bump (on a dirt road at full speed) and our heads hit the ceiling (no seat belts) and the back trunk opens and shuts because it was held shut by a bungee. As we rolled up to the next speed bump (he saw it this time) he slowed down a little and began to make a left hand turn. At this point we hear this loud scrapping and crunching sound. We look at each for a moment, concerned, then we look out the window and we see the front tire rolling past us. The cabbie kept driving, as if he hoped it didn't really happen. When he stopped we all got out and saw the tire completely off and the hub cap scrunched (see picture on right). As we are all standing there looking at the damage the cabbie just walks off without a word to us. Now we almost panic because we were in a very sketchy part of this town and neither of us had any idea where we were.

All your prayers for us to travel safe were all used at this very moment. Another taxi randomly pulled up and asked if we needed a ride. He tried to over charge us of course and we haggled a little but got in as soon as we could (remember we are carrying all our camera equipment).

Needless to say we got home safe and sound and decided we deserved some banana splits (see below).