"Por Puestos"

Por Puestos is a silly invention and is a cross between a bus and a taxi. It is a common means of public transportation in Venezuela and they are basically old US made-cars that has a fixed route and depart whenever all (often 5) seats are full.

I travelled by por puesto from the border town of Maicao in Colombia to Maracaibo, Venezuela. I imagine that it would be more cost-effective to run a bus instead of a dozen por puestos, but for the extra money you pay you will often get there quicker and it may even be more comfortable (and it gives more people a job).

In my case, it was however the opposite. Crossing the border just before the New Year, when everyone is on holiday, took 2-3 hours more than anticipated (queues) and after an already long journey without food, I felt less good. It did not get better of the hectic discussions that took place in the vehicle. Putting five passengers together in a car makes a more personal atmosphere compared to a bus, so people normally pass time by conversations; and the ever-lasting topic to discuss in this country is whether or not the highly controversal president Hugo Chavez is good or bad leader.

To my great disappointment, there were two passengers that hated Chavez in the car, and two (plus the driver) that absolutely loved him. I found out that listening to three people shouting in the mouths of each other, trying to make their point at the same time, is not a good medicine for headache.

My "Por Puesto" vehicle. This could be a nice classic car in any other country but as everything else in Venezuela, its falling apart as it goes.