STREET SCENES
part 1
When you first arrive in Kenya, you will be appalled by the road traffic. You see anything and everything! The roads are conjested with boda-bodas (bicyles with passengers), tuk-tuks, ('covered wagon' golf carts), piki-pikis, (motorcyle taxis), hand pulled carts and van taxis. Besides this there are private cars and many, many people walking. Often they even manage to make 3 lanes out of the narrow roads. Due to the British influence here, the vehicles head down the road on the left side and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Until we Americans get used to it, you have to be very careful and keep your head together. The laws are scarce and there are amazingly few accidents because everyone watches out for the other person. Oh yes, mixed in all this are many cattle and goats aimlessly crossing and walking down the street. They seem to be half street smart and expect people to watch out for them too. Due to all this chaos, the mission advises us not to travel often at night. The people are black, the roads poorly marked and the lights dim.
The tuk-tuks have a 2-cycle engine that smokes and sputters down the road overloaded with passengers. They can't go very fast and are a pain......
Most anything with wheels turning is overloaded, whether it's human or cargo. People are laughing and talking and having a good time. Able-bodied men are seen jumping aboard a slow moving taxi with the side door wide open. Aye...you save time when you don't have to stop......We have been surprised in spite of the poverty, most people are happy and friendly, chatting with each other along the way. They often greet each other a warm handshake so typical of the Luo culture. We don't see ANY immoral display of affection in the daytime, but we're told when nighttime comes, everything breaks loose. AIDS runs rampant.
part 1
When you first arrive in Kenya, you will be appalled by the road traffic. You see anything and everything! The roads are conjested with boda-bodas (bicyles with passengers), tuk-tuks, ('covered wagon' golf carts), piki-pikis, (motorcyle taxis), hand pulled carts and van taxis. Besides this there are private cars and many, many people walking. Often they even manage to make 3 lanes out of the narrow roads. Due to the British influence here, the vehicles head down the road on the left side and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Until we Americans get used to it, you have to be very careful and keep your head together. The laws are scarce and there are amazingly few accidents because everyone watches out for the other person. Oh yes, mixed in all this are many cattle and goats aimlessly crossing and walking down the street. They seem to be half street smart and expect people to watch out for them too. Due to all this chaos, the mission advises us not to travel often at night. The people are black, the roads poorly marked and the lights dim.
The tuk-tuks have a 2-cycle engine that smokes and sputters down the road overloaded with passengers. They can't go very fast and are a pain......
Most anything with wheels turning is overloaded, whether it's human or cargo. People are laughing and talking and having a good time. Able-bodied men are seen jumping aboard a slow moving taxi with the side door wide open. Aye...you save time when you don't have to stop......We have been surprised in spite of the poverty, most people are happy and friendly, chatting with each other along the way. They often greet each other a warm handshake so typical of the Luo culture. We don't see ANY immoral display of affection in the daytime, but we're told when nighttime comes, everything breaks loose. AIDS runs rampant.
Few men carry things on their heads or carrying anything at all. That's the women's job and they carry anything from great piles of twigs (firewood) to a little hand towel perched on the head. Most times it's a loaded basket. It appears so effortless. On this igloo, the handle is rendered useless. :)
These 2-wheeled carts are the biggest hazard. Pulled by man and beast alike, it's loaded with wood, water barrels, potatoes, tomatoes, etc, and clothes. The tires are often half flat and the wheels appear to need grease. The sweat is running as the straining men drag it down the road.
to be continued...
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