This is what the average bus looks like in Panama:
Actually, no, in all honesty, the average bus looks a little more like this:
(Now featuring exhaust!)
But minus the smokyness and the unreliability and the disorganization and the people-piled-on-top-of-people-piled-on-top-of-people-falling-out-the-windows-and-doors and the middle-of-the-road-broken-down-and-abandoned, they’re pretty rad, right?
Each one is a retired U.S. school bus that’s been decked out with a custom design. Most even have a second “night look” featuring flashing neon lights and blaring music.
Lots of the owners of these buses opt for a classy airbrushing of their daughter’s Quinceañera photo on the backdoor. Others look to the Gospel for inspiration:
Others still go Hollywood (this is one of my personal favorites):
Yup, that’s Hulk Hogan tearing off his shirt as he sneers at your wimpy 2-door hatchback!
And boys, don’t miss this one:
Padme Amidala, people! And it’s for sale!