Having owned many different vehicles, it now seems odd not to own even a single one. Without a doubt, there is much fun to be had driving a LandRover or LandCruiser here; check out the one Steve owned while he was in TZ:
There are even some models not available in the states or perhaps the same model with a different name, Quick quiz:
Toyota Surf = ?
Toyota Prado = ?
4-Wheel drive is almost a necessity due to the slippery mud and heavily rutted roads. In service with Martin and Anita, we began down an unpaved road that is usually fine in his 2-wheel drive station wagon. This time, after a week of heavy rain, we just got ourselves into trouble. It was a white-knuckled trip up the road, we instantly turned around, and drive right back outta there! Martin may have been making adjustments to keep us on the road, but it was basically on auto-pilot. What a sight we were, bouncing along, slipping and sliding from side to side, honking at pedestrians and cyclists to get out of the way! Steering and brakes don’t work well in inches of mud!
If you want to hear about interesting vehicles, the most common form of transportation are public buses, the dala-dalas. Take a Nissan or Toyota HiAce mini bus, tear out the interior and seats, re-install seating for 18 people, extend the roof so even more people can stand up inside. Add a driver and conductor, charge 150-300 tsh. per ride and you have a dala!
Since the collapse of a bridge here due to flooding, traffic has been horrible. Dala drivers, who are either highly skilled or suicidal, will drive on the shoulder or the opposite side of the road to cut traffic. In fact, we rode a dala the other day that didn’t just drive on the other side of the road, to avoid oncoming traffic, he drove on the opposite shoulder. That’s not skills, that’s suicidal, but we did arrive in good time!
I have heard myths of more than 30 people riding at one time, but have only seen 27 personally (plus six chickens tied feet to feet stowed under the seats). The other day, Hilary was barely able to stifle a laugh as I slid in next to a passenger holding a chicken in a black plastic shopping bag with the head peeking out. Assuming the bag was to keep the chicken restrained, the real reason was revealed when he got off and chicken poo found a hole in the bag and escaped all over the trousers of the girls seated across from me. We fared fine, maybe just a splash on my boots. The girls appreciated the hand wipes Hilary had and cleaned up just fine.
Of course, we walk an awful lot too and get so exhausted and sore. We don’t even think of joining a gym – we’re always getting a good workout – Hilary can keep up with me really well now and other sisters in the hall complain that she is walking too fast, lol. All the walking is good for my upcoming hiking trip up Mt Meru with Nathan, Aaron, their father, Fred, and Steve.
