Traffic and Plastic

Traffic and Plastic

Mobility and preservation

Congestion and litter
How civilization brings about

Its own demise by virtue

Of its own development

Traffic
Take Arequipa and Chivay: a city of 750,000 people versus the main town of the Colca Canyon (almost directly north of Arequipa, as the Condor flies, and about a four hour bus trip), which at its deepest is twice that of the Grand Canyon.

In Arequipa there are some street corners where signals or cops regulate the flow, but most intersections present a version of "chicken": who arrives first, who is the most aggressive, who is the biggest . . .

Cars making turns are not necessarily in the appropriate lane and may cut off another vehicle in that lane and/or threaten to run down pedestrians crossing the street. Turn signals on or off do not necessarily indicate the intention of the driver who may be talking on a cell, involved with a passenger, listening to the radio, or just out of it. This may provide for the "Peruvian Uncertainty Principle"—when in doubt, honk. Years ago a Mexican friend of mine said, "Mexicans check the operation of the horn before that of the engine." It was a joke, but the same may be said of the Peruaños love of their horns.

Without horns of their own pedestrians had better watch their step, they are the least likely to win in any traffic battle.

In Chivay the traffic is not much faster than the movement of bicycles, or motorized tricycles—which are the most common taxis. People walk in the streets surrounding the main square without much worry of being run down. But yes, you do hear the occasional horn.

Plastic

Plastic is one of the most widely used substances in the world. Grocery bags, bottles, packing for just about everything, construction materials, moldings, coverings, shoes, automotive components, body frames for electronic gadgets, and on and on—one of the byproducts of petroleum. Apparently there is a country-sized collection of discarded plastic floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is in need of a chancellor so that someone could take responsibility for the tens of thousands of birds that die from ingesting plastic yearly. Besides contributing to climate change in its production phase, it also is like radioactive material in that it takes thousands of years to break down.

In Chivay the organic wall guards, that are customarily seen as barbed wire or glass bottle shards, are cactus plants growing into the top of walls with well formed needles to discourage any wall jumper. As an added benefit the cacti seem to be pretty good at catching any airborne plastic bag that happens their way. Not only does this provide a visual cue as to the amount of plastic making its way about the world, but it also gives folks a chance to collect it.

There are an abundant number of street cleaners in Arequipa and Chivay who do a really good job of keeping up appearances. In Chivay most of those involved are indigenous women, who not too long ago did not use much plastic themselves. They were accustomed to wrapping things in fabric or paper, which of course over time would decompose. But as "development" takes hold, so does the plastic.

But there is hope! Just yesterday we were at Plaza Vea in Arequipa, a Peruaño department store, where they use biodegradable bags. We were impressed!