Bus Vendors

One of the great things about developing countries is that transportation systems are not super regulated. In Paraguay, this has led to a booming bus vendor culture. When I say bus vendor I mean people who sporadically get on buses selling all sorts of things.

Chipa vendor

Here is a list of what is sold divided by vendor type.

Chipa (super common) Love this bread stuff, I always buy it.

Food - empanadas, sopa (another bread like food), sandwiches, pieces of grilled chicken <---- most awesome (super common) Unfortunately the food is usually cold by the time you buy it.. otherwise I would totally get the chicken

Drinks – soda, water, juice (super common)

Snacks – gum, chocolate, lollipops, crackers (super common)

Fruit – apples, plums, pears. Sometimes I get fruit bec its hard to get in site.

Random shit – small toys, scrunchies, flashlights, batteries, nail clippers, scissors. These guys have the most random stuff.

random clothes – socks, underwear, hats. Yes they sell socks and underwear on the bus.

Then there are the guys who go all out. They get on the bus and stand up and launch into a sales pitch usually about some medicinal herb or a joke book or something else random. They talk for anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 and then go person to person asking if they want to buy. This is surprisingly effective.

Also interesting is that some products are sold in a particular system. Usually the item is small and sold by children. They place the product, (toothbrush, stickers, candy) in your lap as you sit there and go through the entire bus. Then they start back at the front and collect the merchandise and if you want it you just give money back instead. This strategy pulls at your heart strings because you feel bad giving back the piece of candy to this little kid. At least that is how I feel. I don't know about Paraguayans.

The candy sales also reminds me of something interesting I noticed that seems normal to Paraguayans and less so to Americans. A lot of sweets, whether it be in candy form or in cookies form like Oreos or wafers is bought and consumed by Paraguayans of all ages. It is not uncommon to see middle aged men and women with a sucker in their mouth on the bus.