Very Blessed!

I hardly slept much last night as I was very excited about the trip to Cayo Santa Maria.  Woke up a few times in the night to check the time, just to make sure I didn’t oversleep, and ended up waking up even before the alarm rang at 6.15am.

Did last minute packing before making my way to the bus terminal by 7am to buy my ticket to catch the 7.30am bus – the only bus that departs from Trinidad to Cayo Santa Maria (via Santa Clara).

A queue had formed at the counters when I arrived, so I quickly got inline and waited for my turn.  Most of them had a reservation or a ticket already on hand.  I was hoping really hard I could make it on the bus.  Worse case scenario, I will have to take the collectivo option, though would prefer the bus, since the comfort of the ride was questionable, especially for a 5hr journey in a car.

While waiting, a young couple just slightly ahead of me, which didn’t have any reservation either, was asked to wait on the side.  When it was my turn, I was asked to do the same.  I was getting nervous as the queue started dwindling and the departure time almost nearing.

After everyone was served, the young couple went to the counter quickly and asked if there were any more seats… was told there were 3, but there was still a waiting list for 4 people, who had left their names at the counter yesterday, and the counter staff had to call their names first to confirm if they are around before they could give us priority.

The staff called the 1st name on the list and a lady went up with another friend – there goes 2 seats!  I could see the disappointment in the couple’s face.  While the counter staff was serving the 2 girls, I asked “tienes uno mas?” (is there one more?), which I was then still asked to wait.  I got even more nervous as chances were getting slimmer.

At this time, a guy dressed in blue uniform came up to the counter staff, whom I reckon was the bus driver and possibly asking if he could leave soon, as it was already pass 7.30am.  There was some rapid Spanish discussion among the counter staff and the bus driver, and one of the counter staff then turned to me and asked if I was the only one, and I said yes.

The bus driver nodded his head, which I kinda understood that I could get on.  But instead of paying for my ticket like everyone else at the counter, I was asked to follow the bus driver next door, where luggage are checked in.  As I was walking towards next door, the young couple asked if I got a seat, to which I told them I wasn’t too sure, as I was just told to follow the bus driver.

After my luggage got checked, the bus driver asked me to get on the bus.  I heaved a sigh of relief that I am finally on the bus, but as I still haven’t paid for my bus fare, I had some doubts.

Shortly after, the bus conductor on the bus asked where I was going and I said Cayo Santa Maria, and he told me the price was CUC20, the same price as everyone else.  I gave him the money, which I assumed would be pocketed by the staff directly, and was reason why it didn’t get booked into the computer by the counter staff.

I felt bad for the young couple who were left behind at the bus station, and was just thankful that I am super lucky to had made it on the bus.

5 hrs countdown to reaching Cayo Santa Maria!