ERIC (arriving after 16 hour all night bus ride - looking around at the maps and posters on the wall)
- "Soooo, where can I catch a bus to the waterfall"
HOSTEL STAFF (busy typing something on the computer ... actually busy replying to a Facebook message)
- "Uhmm, the falls are closed"
Eric quizzically peers back at her. She realizes her speech error.
HOSTEL STAFF corrects her English - "I mean the buses to the waterfalls aren't running. They are closed"
ERIC (not in too overt demanding way) - "Why?"
HOSTEL STAFF - "They don't run anymore"
ERIC (thinks for a second ...) - "Are they on strike or something?"
HOSTEL STAFF - "No"
*She stares blankly at ERIC for 10 seconds*
- "But you can take a cab, $25 one-way"
ERIC - "Soooo what you're saying is that the bus is not running?"
HOSTEL STAFF - "No ... I mean yes - But you can take a tour, it is cheaper than a cab"
ERIC - "Oh."
HOSTEL STAFF - "Yeah I can book it for you here. $60"
ERIC (suspicious squinty eyes appear on his face - he is on to a possible tout looking for commission) -
"Uhhhhhhh, no obrigado"
ERIC backs away to ponder the situation. As a professional tout outer and previous travel guide, ERIC is well aware on how these deals work. He ponders his options carefully.
SCENE II - Bambu Hostel: Young British Girls, early 20s enter scene 20 minutes later.
ERIC - "Have you been to the falls?"
YBGs (in unison, thick accents) - "Yes!"
ERIC - "Did you take the bus?"
YBGs - "Yes, of course"
ERIC feels he is being watched. He does not wish to turn around.
ERIC exits hostel, walks 27 metres to bus stop. Pays $1 and takes public bus. Sees water fall off cliffs.
| WATER FALL FACTS Height of longest drop | 82 metres (269 ft); Devil's Throat |
|---|---|
Number of drops Number of children eaten by jaguars in the 21st century Number of barrel ride attempts Last time someone attempted to swim the falls Last death recorded at the falls | 275 1 (2007) 0 April 14, 2008 April 14, 2008 |
Reminds me of our experience in Bangkok. We wanted to visit the Royal Castle, but were told it was closed just for that day and that instead we could be given a tour of a jewelry factory. We said we would walk to check out the closed Royal Castle and were told by the same Tuk Tuk driver that the Royal Castle had just opened and he could drive us there at a cheap rate. Huh???!!!
ReplyDeleteOnly one child eaten by a jaguar! Amazing - I thought it would have been in the dozens.
I heard a story by Stuart McLean, this past weekend, about a man he interviewed who had fallen from a boat and gone over Niagara Falls when he was a child. Luckily he was wearing a life jacket and somehow, against all odds, survived. A better ending than the swimmer at Paraguay Falls. Pah
hahaha! That was good. All this travelling has made you very wise !!!! xo mah
ReplyDeleteGreat story Eric. Now that I'm a motorist I'm offering a 'cheap rate' to unsuspecting tourists to Craigdarroch Castle. Ultimately they'll wake up 2 days later in a bathtub of ice with a kidney missing.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Dr. Rainier St. Helens, CEO
1023 Oliphant Recording Studio/Lo-Cost Organ Sales