Leave the driving to someone else...

Richard sent an email to me today about a strike affecting the public transportation in Santiago. Approximately 600 employees are striking to protest non-payment of wages. This will affect about 150 busses. This action will put a strain on the taxi and subway systems. Also, there may be protests, so we are being told to avoid large groups of people and obvious protest groups. How exciting, as well as slightly inconvenient. I do not take the bus, as it is so difficult to figure out, but I occasionally take a taxi and I love the subway. The red line (our line) doesn't get as crowded as some of the other sub lines, as the workers coming to this affluent area usually ride in "collectivos", or special taxis that pick up riders going to very specific places. It's like if you wanted to go to downtown from the Galleria, you would flag down a collectivo, and jam yourself in with up to 4 other people, and they take you only from point A to point B. The stops are posted on a sign on top of the cab. Can get really cozy. The maids, or nanas, as they are called here, take a collectivo from the poorer parts of town to Los Condes, and then walk to their jobs. It's the only afforable way to commute, as the subway may be inconvenient and the bus too slow. The collectivo is about 1000 pesos, which is $2.00 American.

I am taking a collectivo up to the mountains next week, so I will report on that aventure later.