Bus or (drug) bust

No one ever really looks forward to an 11 hour overnight bus ride. Even if the Mexican deluxe buses are pretty decent. But sometimes, it's just got to be done. 

We're on route from our hippie beach paradise to cultural hotspot, San Cristobal. 

The bus departed promptly at a Mexican time of 8pm - also known as 9pm. Once aboard we settled in for a few episodes of The Sopranos before sleep.

At 2.30am I woke up at an unscheduled stop with the bus being boarded by a combo of what looked like the DEA, the army and some macho Mexican cops. Dressed for battle with bullet proof vests, head torches and sub-machine guns, these guys weren't fucking about. 

Having drifted off to an episode of The Sopranos and being part way through the drug cartel book, Power of the Dog, I had to question reality for a second. Was this really happening? 

One by one, three men were handcuffed and escorted off the bus. Their bags and belongings were offloaded and thoroughly searched. I had a front row seat to this spectacular shakedown in which my three fellow bus compadres lost. 

I have clearly watched more than my share of drug lord related movies as an emotional mix of fear coupled with strange excitement meant taking pictures briefly crossed my mind. What the F is wrong with me?

Thankfully common sense prevailed as making the group a quartet would have seriously cramped our onward journey; and Sherpa desperately needs this job. 
 

** Sombreros off to the Mexicans. This is a fabulous country that is visibly doing a lot to ensure the safety of its people through regular security checks and a strong yet unobtrusive police presence. 

Instagram: @thelisaphillips #somedaysherpa