What It Means To Travel The Transamazon Hwy

What is it like to travel 300 miles by bus through the middle of the jungle with 4 kids?

In the State of Para', which is where we live, the TransAmazon highway (famously known) was cut back in the 1970's sometime to connect the cities. I can only imagine what it was like in the early days when they didn't have 4wheel drive and such. Today it's like traveling on the worst un-maintained back road that is pothole infested with bridges that are narrow and sketchy only held together by what looks like rail road ties and a few boards. In the rainy season the mud turns into soup and feels like snow conditions as we fish tail and spin up and down hills. The driver pulls the steering wheel hard and then lets it go to straighten out. It can by compared to an arcade game like Pole Position. In the summer, it's probably way dusty to the point of suffocation.

Anyways, spped is relative to the conditions. It would be like driving from Grants Pass to Portland in 12 hours and being jostled and vibrated in your seat for nearly the entire drive. The only reprieve is the 1 mile that is paved before and after the big towns. The rest is unbelievable.

I had lots of time to think of how to describe this to people back home. We just wouldn't tolerate this kind of travel. I mean a desperate person that has to travel on a budget takes the Greyhound cause it's cheap and takes forever. I pity the Brazilians who have no options so far as the governments don't make this a priority. That's a whole other blog I WON'T go into.

The kids did relatively well. I was praising God that Nate and Hannah slept for major portions of the bumpy trip. They would wake when we stopped but would soon drift asleep when we started up again. I think it was a way to cope. 

The part I was dreading was getting stuck and not being able to get out. It was an adventure to say the least. I prayed that it wouldn't rain so that we could get there in a decent amount of time. It was sprinkling when the bus came to pick us up at 4:30 am. I had to stay flexible on my expectations of the trip. God of course is in control and I knew we'd be okay... right?

We got about 4 hours down the road with slipping and sliding and seeing the other cars and trucks slipping and sliding. We ran into a few that had gotten stuck and we just laughed as we kept going, counting it a blessing to keep going and not be stuck with them. I knew our turn was coming and just about 9:30am, we came upon a hill that looked like the "Goliath" of all hills. It's mud ruts where deep and the hill was relatively steep. There was a truck slipping down and Motorbikes sliding down and 2 horses walking up as slow as molasses but not slipping a bit. Hmmmm?

The side of the hill looked good and I was certain he would go on the side less traveled and wait for the horses to get out of the way... but no, the driver gunned it, honked at the horses to move and went straight for the ruts!!!!! We were stuck on that hill for an hour and had several attempt with chains that broke off the back wheels. As we waited in the bus for the to get us out, we saw many trucks sliding down in our direction as we were smack in the middle of the mess. I had all the kids buckle up just incase we were hit, but nobody even got close. Finally we tried again and literally inched our way up the rest of the hill. 

We cruised to the next town still slipping and sliding and pulled in to a truck stop that had a restaurant behind it. It was a hoot. The bathrooms were equipped with showers for the purpose of those who literally have to get under the wheels of their stuck truck and get all muddy doing it. It was something else.

They just deal with it cause they know that as soon as the sun comes out it will dry up the mud in a short amount of time. So if your stuck and can't get out, just pray for sun and your on your way in no time. Sure enough, once we hit the road again, the sun had been out a bit and the mud felt like chalk. We weren't slipping near as much. Just the ruts turned into vibration under the wheels. A whole new attitude was created in trying to enjoy the ride. First the mud and fear of getting stuck to now the horrible vibrations that kept you from being able to sleep or read or do anything. The driver was dodging the potholes at the rate of what seemed to have been a race. It's just an experience you can't quite articulate. Well, I'm trying at least.

At about 5pm, we hit the big town that divided up the trip a bit. It's called Novo Repartimento. It means something like "New Share". The town sits at a crossing of the road that can go 3 different directions to the bigger cities.

We stopped for a potty break and grab a soda. The driver was in the driver's seat intensely starring at a guy outside, looking super serious. He excused himself after all of us were on the bus again and ready to go. I didn't understand what he was saying, but he was talking to a couple of guys outside. The driver returned and one of the guys he just talked to came into the van and said "Your going to Maraba'?" "Be careful!" as he pointed to his eyes as to say "look out". Clyde and I started asking some questions. Like "what is that all about?".

The driver started the engine up and began to pull away and talked about the "banditos"(Bandits/Robbers) on the road from Novo Repartimento to Maraba'. It's known for robberies and highjacks in search for cash and valuables like camera's, cell phones, computers etc.  They'll have groups scoping out the traffic and send word about good prospects to their friends awaiting on the roads. But there are also undercover guys who work with the truckers and bus drivers to protect those traveling. Our driver has been doing this for many years and has never been hijacked, but has seen buses right after him get taken. We got a little nervous. We just prayed and trusted the Lord for protection. Clyde took his camera off his belt loop and hid it just for precaution.

I wasn't having good thoughts about Maraba' at this point. I just wanted to get to Rick and Deanna's. Every suspicious activity put a panic in our hearts.  After several more hours on the bumpy road, I was ready to see asphalt that lead to Maraba'. It finally came at about 7 pm. 

When we hit the pavement, I knew we were safe and could enjoy the smooth ride. 

Rick had been calling on the driver's cell phone to see where we were. He planned to meet us at a gas station on his motorcycle and lead us to his place. We got there by 7:30 pm and I was so happy to see an end to this journey!!!

We pulled into the gate that lead down the driveway to the house we had seen pictures of. We also saw a outbuilding lit up and packed with people as it was Saturday night service. The driver gave a honk and all the people cheered and yelled as we pulled in. 

Getting off the bus was a trip. I felt numb from head to toe from all the vibration. My emotions were dry and fried. Hannah was alert and alive, giving smiles to everyone! I knew she was excited to be off that bus. Nate did well in waking up from the ride and being embrassed by all those who remembered him. Makenna and Maddy remembered the Bergen's and were chatting all about the trip.

It was crazy to finally have the trip over with. Looking back it was hard, but not so hard that I couldn't do it again. Do I want to do it again? Not any time soon!!!

We praise Jesus for His grace and love for us to get us through tough stuff.

Traveling with 4 kiddos wasn't unbearable, but definately challenging!

We'll try and post some more thoughts in the weeks to come!

Blessings, Kelsie