The Lunatic Express

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Indonesian ferry sinks. Peruvian bus plunges off a cliff. African train attacked by mobs. These alarming headlines caught Carl Hoffman's attention, prompting him to embark on a six-month journey around the globe using the world's most dangerous modes of transportation. He traveled on the riskiest airlines, overcrowded ferries, dilapidated buses, and rickety trains, exploring bustling cities and remote locations. His adventures took him from Havana to Bogotá on perilous Cuban Airways, through Lima to the Amazon on overcrowded night buses, and across Indonesia and Bangladesh, where ferries claim thousands of lives each year. He navigated commuter trains in Mumbai, where daily fatalities are common, and traversed Afghanistan amid Taliban advances. The journey culminated in a Greyhound trip from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. Hoffman's experiences reveal the essence of travel without the comforts of modern conveniences, highlighting encounters with fellow passengers who lack American Express cards and often find themselves on precarious journeys. More than an adventure, this narrative offers a humorous and poignant exploration of a world where millions, mostly impoverished, are in constant motion, seeking better lives and connections with strangers who embody generosity and resilience.