Flyin' Shoes

“It’s so much better than flying,” or so I’d overheard on a few occasions. Just how valid could that statement be, against a trip that was the same cost of flying but took almost forty hours longer? This, I needed to find out.

Amtrak has been around for 29 years, the name chiseled out of American interstate transport culture, along with Greyhound. Like its roadworthy kin, it has long since become an afterthought of travel planning, with crippling blows being hammered home by quick and cheap air alternatives. To set the record straight, pricing for an adult is not favorable if comparing with budget flights and online deals. Booking in advance and opting for a la-z-boy recliner as a bed, does reduce the Seattle to Chicago fare to the exact same $150 deal found for the flying alternative.
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I must admit, I was a little concerned last night about getting to Trujillo and thought the path of negotiation for transport would be a little difficult and complicated. I’m always dynamic with plans and can change on a dime but coming to the end of the trip here, I really wanted things to run smoothly. So far this morning, things couldn’t have worked out better.

The taxi arrived a little early at the hotel, which is just as well as he drove like a snail to Chiclayo. The bus ticket counter thankfully understood some pointing and my poor Spanish and 15 minutes later, I’m on the economy/commuter bus of Transporte Linea. It’s an older bus but still has ample legroom and reclining seats, so I’ll think I’ll catch up on editing my pics while enjoying this three hour ride South, along the coast to Trujillo.

The reception guy must be bored, as well as a star. Picking up the change and receipt for hotel payment, he was in the middle of arranging a bus for us to Trujillo in the morning. Turns out that Emtrafesa aren’t answering the phone, so we’re booked on Transporte Linea at 6am. Apparently all I have to do is turn up at the bus station and say I have seats 7 and 8 under Mr Mike for Trujillo. Sounds simple enough.

We were about to head out to get some snacks for the evening when the guy pulled up Google translate and proceeded to spend the next hour, asking what bands we liked and showing some old rock vids like Journey, on youtube. It’s great to share some culture, even if it is a little abstract. Heading to bed early, to ensure the 5:30am taxi is caught.