Now that I have been here for a few months, I know which bus routes to take, and I know to leave with plenty of time to spare just in case one doesn't come by immediately. It has been good for me to remind myself that I can't do everything alone, nor can I expect bus drivers to run on my schedule instead of their own.
Air pollution is a health concern for the people of Mexico, especially those that live in big cities. Here in Puebla, the air quality ranges from "moderate" to "very bad," and is worse near the streets. Last semester, I took a trip to the mountains, and I was amazed at how much cleaner the air felt! Being from northwest Indiana, I have been exposed to bad air all of my life due to the nearby steel mills, but even I can feel how dirty the air is when I'm walking along a busy road in Puebla.
Some people here choose to take buses and combis for environmental reasons. One of the teachers I work with rode the bus for years because she believed in helping the environment. She recently learned to drive, though, citing the irregularity of buses as a main reason for the change.
Though riding the buses can prove challenging for visitors and locals alike, most people still do so for economic reasons. It is far cheaper to take the bus than it is to pay for gas, a car and insurance here. Right now, there is also a fuel shortage across many Mexican states. In some places, people have to wait for hours to fill up their gas tank.
