They only had the cheap seats left!

Alas ours were missing the last 20 degrees compared to the fully  reclining ones upstairs. It is quite the task in South America, trying to weigh up cost vs standard of bus before a journey (including what to believe from all you've been told about standard of said bus); however you soon learn that comfort on a journey is not all about the seat. One thing that is also apparent in South America is that no-one can afford headphones, having no doubt spent every last penny on their phone. However, whilst the youth of the UK often rate their phones on how big the screen is, how many megapixels they have, how quick they can get to facebook etc, there seems to be only one thing worth testing on your prize purchase here...how loud the speaker goes! So this journey was yet another where no sooner had we settled into our seats, our eardrums were abused by our neighbour's phone, rattling out tinny music. And seriously, the stuff they listen to is just not good!  Then it isn't long before the guy behind decides jigging his feet constantly against the back of your seat is a really good idea. Then there is the TV on the bus playing bizarre pimped-up traditional music (think panpipes vs electric guitars, brightly coloured woven textiles and traditional dancing vs 'seductive' close-ups of young girls' bare legs and pant-lines as they twirl their skirts, etc.) And of course you get bumped regularly by anyone who walks past. What fun the travelling part of travelling really is!