The Magic School Bus
Do you remember the “Magic School Bus” series of books from when you were a kid? If not, I recommend you read them immediately. They are a fantastic, educational, and slightly trippy (when you really think about it) account of the wacky Ms. Frizzle’s field trips to impossible locations like the solar system, the past, and – in one especially memorable installment – into the cardiovascular system of a student who unknowingly eats the school bus and its passengers on a potato chip (the school bus had, at this point, obviously shrunk).
Anyway, I wanted to let all of you out there know that I have found not only one, but hundreds of real, live, magic school busses right here in Nicaragua! They are the standard mode of transportation down in this neck of the woods, and are magic because they still work (despite being absurdly old and driving on incredibly treacherous roads day in and day out).
All of the Nicaraguan magic school busses are decorated on the inside with all sorts of religious paraphenalia and signs politely requesting that God, Jesus, and anyone else who is listening protect the bus, drivers, and passengers. These sorts of things are fairly critical given 1) the way the bus drivers drive 2) the way the rest of the people on the road drive 3) the age / condition of the busses themselves and 4) the condition of the roads.
No sightings yet of Ms. Frizzle, but I’ll let you know. In the meantime, here are some photos of just a few of the magic school busses that I have personally encountered. Just like Ms. Frizzle’s bus, they always manage to deliver me to fabulous destinations, like volcanic islands, misty cloud forests, or amazing deserted beaches. Gotta love those magic school busses!
Magic School Busses in Matagalpa
Magic School Busses in Jinotega
Ms. Frizzle would Approve
OK, so the honeymoon’s over. For the first time I have criticisms: 1) i may stop reading your blog–you started tweeting and 2) disagree, Reading Rainbow, then Ghostwriter, THEN Magic School Bus. And don’t forget Richard Scary and Gold Bug!!!!!!
Just kdding. In all seriousness, those buses look really cool and I love MAGIC SCHOOL BUS!
Another great post! Great work!
um, 1) twitter had to happen at some point (as you know, I have lots to say) 2) Magic School Bus remains the best!!
Fabulous reference, Parker! MAP-a-licious.
This post is the sort of thing that makes school librarians sing. “Hooray, mention of Ms. Frizzle, Ghostwriter, even dear old Lamar. They DID remember something!”
Ahhh I’m so glad you like it!! Please share with MAP, it will validate her career!!