Buses

Ive travelled from Mexico to Argentina nearly exclusively by bus, and I have some observations to share.

As a general rule, the farther south you travel, the better buses become. As the miles from the United States border grow, buses slowly begin to acquire things - like air conditioning, lavatories, and televisions.

There are of course exceptions to this rule - the most blatant being the Chicken Buses of Guatemala. Though they definitely have all the buses of Central and South America on affordability and character, sitting three plus to a seat for four hours makes them begin to lose their charm and subsequently their superiority to the buses of Mexico.

The introduction of the fold down leg rest - an apparatus I had never seen before - places South American buses firmly ahead of all Central American buses. That and the advent of stopping for meals at buffets.

Thanksgiving day, however, Argentinian buses placed themselves soundly above all others in my opinion. First off, the buses have two stories and seat the majority of the clientele on the top floor, thereby eliminating the primary downside to the bus lavatory - the smell. Secondly, the seats are not regular seats. These seats are the difference in width between a coach seat and a business class seat on an airplane. And finally, the piece de resistance, on Argentinean buses they serve food. Actual, ham and cheese sandwiches food with the beverage of your choice.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.

Tonight, I'm taking the night bus from Mendoza to Bariloche and I'm rather looking forward to it.