Cultural Differences
Trip Start
Sep 24, 2008
1
23
41
Trip End
Ongoing
Lima,
Peru
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Traffic in Lima is a problem. In my daily walkings I have found myself in more than one close call with a taxi, and I have been making a conscientious effort to be careful. Taxis seem play a game. How close can I come to the pedestrian without touching the brakes. This is a dangerous game of physics for those on foot.
Melissa and her sister Rebeca came by the house at about 6. We had a short time to kill so we set off for the beach boulevard. After finding some delicious ice cream, my favorite flavor...crema volteada. A little time later, Melissa decided that she needed a safety pin to tend a piece of attire. Bodegas here carry everything that you could possibly desire on a daily basis. I was waiting on the sidewalk ten meters from the corner of a busy street. As Melissa inquired of the attendant I heard the sound of fierce brakes and looked into the street. Lima is full of short buses that bring small numbers of people from one place to another. A little girl chose the wrong moment to cross the street. As the bus attempted to stop, the girl met the fate of her decision in combination with the irresponsibility of the driver. Watching this take place is not a memory that I want to have. The child's position was interrupted six feet by the bus. A crowd gathered quickly. Melissa is a med student. Her reaction was more than brave and without thought. I ran immediately to the bodega and asked the attendant the phone number to an ambulance. After reaching a voice I commanded the attendant to take the phone and tell the operator that a girl had been hit on his corner. "I don't have the ability to explain what happened, you need to talk to the police."
When I returned to the scene, Melissa had taken control of checking the young lady. When she was satisfied that the girl would be okay she joined her sister and I. "I checked her out, she doesn't have any broken bones, she is conscious, I think that she is going to be fine."
What is shocking about the events described more than anything, Melissa's description of the driver's reactions. When she finished all of the first aid checks to make a cursory diagnosis, the driver attempted to stand the girl up. There wasn't a person standing around the girl that hesitated slapping his hands away from her body. The mother started screaming at the man to leave her be. Not once did the driver apologize. Not once did he show a bit of sincere remorse. His only concern was his own well being.
What makes this expected by the people here. I have only talked to a few people of this experience, but each of them shared some sort of expectation for the drivers reaction. Their responses revolved around financial factors. If he shows any sort of sign of fault, doctor bills follow. Frankness in a person's reaction can speak volumes to reality behind words. People being hit by cars, buses and combees is a common occurrence.
Two days later clowns and jesters lined a close by intersection. They carried with them signs that had the familiar red octagon on one side and the saying "careful of your miraflores". It is amazing how I find myself in the midst of turning points here in Lima. Contradictions surround me, acceptance and struggle against what is accustomed here. These patterns bring struggle for me to find consistency and have also imprinted my mind with sights unwanted.
I can't wait to find work and a daily pattern of assistance rather than simply looking for a new way to pass the time in this busy place.
