Bill and Jim loaded the luggage into the SUV double cab truck and we all piled in...with me happily situated between my two little granddaughters in the back seat.  I was busy talking to Noelle and Sarah and hardly noticed our exit from the airport parking lot. 

In just a few moments we were winding up and down and around the streets surrounding the airport and headed home.  I looked up momentarily from my conversation with my granddaughters, and my son - the quiet one - had turned into an accomplished stunt driver!  Evidently, in Peru, if you're a timid driver or even drive like we're accustomed to here in the U.S. (you know, with rules), you'd still be sitting there in the road this time tomorrow! 

Apparently, in Cusco a two-lane road means nothing.  Keep in mind, the road size may not change, but two lanes very quickly were turned into three or four lanes by the Peruvian drivers.  Cars were driving toward one another and then switching lanes quickly.  People were walking and darting across the road haphazardly.  And then there are the dogs - lots of dogs on the side of the roads and running across the road everywhere. 

And, it seemed, every single car was equipped with, at least, two horns of all types which the drivers used almost constantly.  A lot of the cars also had strips of reflective tape across the front and back of the cars.  (I'd promised my son that before leaving, his Mom was going to WRAP his truck in reflective tape...I should have done that!) 

Oddly enough, some Peruvian drivers often "save their batteries" by not turning on their vehicle lights at sunset.  With all the people and dogs darting back and forth across the street, I wondered how many accidents were caused by that one fact.

Approximately, only one out of ten vehicles on the road is privately owned.  The rest are taxi cabs, buses, little mini-type vans called "combies" (into which are piled what looks like dozens of people at times - or too many for the number of seats available anyway).  A combie costs about 60 cents in Peruvian money and is the mode of transportation for most of the population of Cusco. 

Since Bill and Jeanine only have the one vehicle, at times another mode of transportation is a necessity; and, quite often, Bill or Jeanine and the girls must take the combies too.  Once during the trip, I had the memorable experience of riding one!  Let me tell you - they don't waste time and you'd better hurry up and sit down because the driver waits for no one!  I also rode in the taxis...the tiny little taxis...and I prayed.  A lot.

In the four years Bill and Jeanine have been on the mission field, I've known they were faced with a lot of challenges and obstacles.  I just didn't know about the traffic.  I became a fanatic on my granddaughters (and anyone else anywhere near the vehicle) buckling up.  I promised my son that I'd spend a lot more time on my knees in prayer...a whole lot more...praying just for safety to whatever destination they were headed.  I may have said it in a humorous way, but I meant it.

I've included the information in the websites below for two reasons.  One reason is just in case you thought I was exaggerating.  More importantly, I've included it to ask you to help me pray for their safety every single day.  PLEASE pray...

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http://www.cusco-peru.net/travel_tours/tourist_information/cusco_advices.html

Street Safety: 
One of the things that are immediately apparent upon arrival to Cuzco and other major cities in Perú is the plethora of cabs and mini buses. They are small by western standards but can still hurt you if you are not careful. There are some traffic lights and stop signs, but don't expect everyone to use them. These little guys have the right of way at all times and sorry will be the traveler that doesn't recognize it at once. In fact, horns will blow at you if you are just walking down the street on the sidewalk for no apparent reason. When strolling around, especially in the evening, always be very careful at intersections. Many of the headlights don't work and not very many drivers have figured out what a turn signal is or how to use it. It is kind of quirky and adds to the charm of Perú.

Cusco Has Highest Number of Traffic Accidents and Deaths in Peru