For the first time in all of my crossings through Foz do Iguaçu, I stopped at the border crossing to get my passport stamped. Leaving the bus behind, as they do not wait for this process, I headed to immigration and filled out the paperwork. Once done, I would need to wait for another bus to continue my journey.
There are two lines serving the Argentina to Brazil route. My journey was free if I used the same company. As I waited, I watched both time and two buses from the other line pass by. Eventually a bus from my company showed up. My goal was the centre of Foz city, where I would be staying the night, although we did not make it quite that far.
The bus was full when I climbed on at the Brazilian border although it almost emptied out at the turn-off for the waterfalls. With a long weekend in both Argentina and Paraguay, there were plenty of tourists around. Once they had gone, there were only six of us left aboard.
As our journey continued towards the city, our bus suddenly turned off and parked on the side of the road. We were all surprised to find our bus stopping such a long way from town. Buses never turn off their engines, even when fuelling, so when our motor stopped we knew the news was bad. Our driver got off and after a short wait returned to tells us that the bus is broken. Our only choice is to get onboard the next bus which he assured us would be coming shortly.
We all get off and wait outside the bus. Some of the more inquisitive of us wander around to the back to see what the problem is. The engine hatch at the back is closed, but there is steam pouring out of most seams. It looks serious. When the hood is opened we can see that the fan belt has slipped off and the engine is boiling. We wait, expecting another bus, but it does not come.
The broken bus, and fellow passengers waiting for a miracle - which comes.
Meanwhile, our driver digs around in the bus and returns with a stick to prop the engine hatch open and the only tool onboard. With all of the expertise of a mechanic, or someone that has been through this process many times before, he coaxes the fan belt back onto the pulleys. To tighten the belt a special sized spanner is needed, or it would be impossible. Our Mac-Gyver bus driver puts his only tool to work. It fits perfectly. One more thing that makes me suspect it is not an isolated incident.
Looking longfully over the hill at the coming traffic, our rescue bus never does appear. Instead, our driver tops up the water in the bus, starts the engine and gives the all clear for getting back onboard. We stop at the nearest service station and add more water before continuing our journey. The bus is serviceable once again.
The bus that broke was now un-broke once again, thanks to our Mac Gyver driver.