When I first arrived, I heard a stream of complaints and comparisons of the D.R. to America. These included paying for water at restaurants, the crazy traffic, trash in the streets and sidewalks, and the lack of drinkable tap water. I think all my visits to China prepared me for this, so I wasn't phased by the public bathrooms or aggressive drivers. I was, however, slightly apprehensive about riding in conchos. I've mentioned them before, but conchos are hybrids of taxis and public busses. All I knew about them was that you can squeeze 2 people in the passenger seat, and 4-5 (maybe 6, if there are children) in the back. During orientation, the program stressed that you should never take out your wallet in a concho, be wary of thieves, and always make sure you're going in the correct direction. Every time I saw a concho, I saw strangers squeezed into a tiny, dilapidated sedan that sped through lanes, honking at everything that moved. It seemed like a confusing, shady system of public transportation. During our scavenger hunt, we had quite the adventure trying to fit into one concho while chatting it up with the locals:

Hopping into a concho

Trying not to squish the 2 other riders in the backseat...

But it turns out, they're wonderful and so easy to use! They are small sedans and follow different routes. You can pick one up anywhere along its route, just by standing on the sidewalk and holding out your hand. The number of fingers you point out signifies the number of seats you want. For example, if I had a group of 3 and wanted a Route A concho, I would hold up 3 fingers and wave down conchos with the letter "A" on their dashboards. If the driver only has room for 2 people, he'll hold up 2 fingers outside his window. If there's enough space, he'll pull over. The incessant honking is to pick up more passengers who may be looking for a ride. It's a flat rate of 20 pesos per person and the streets are full of them. Yes, the system is a bit more chaotic than the T in Boston or using a private car to drive across freeways in Los Angeles, but it's economical, easy to use, and practical. Wonder if this is more feasible than a subway system in LA...