This horse is always parked in front of my house. Clearly someone residing in my nine floor ivory tower is economizing in some aspect of his or her life…
Okay, so I don’t believe that one of the businessperson-type residents actually takes a horse cart to their fancy World Bank office. In fact, I can’t even make fun of the person who does own said horse and cart, because that’s two wheels and four horse legs more than I have enjoyed while here in Dakar.
After two years in TaxiLand, I’m looking forward to owning a car again.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s been an absolutely fabulous and often ingratiating entertaining experience in relying on public transport. It’s just that lately I’ve been stepping into some really shoddy mechanical beasts that not only challenge the supportive construction of my soutien-gorge, but each additional taxi ride is slowly but surely shifting the odds in favor of me soon ending up close and personal with oncoming, crunching metal. It’s the law of averages, mes amis.
I’m not looking to spend an arm and a leg on a car. In fact, I know for starters that I want to buy something used…
Just not this used. Most dakarois vehicles list heavily into the “well-loved” category. Like this one. I always say that it’s only a matter of looking at a car wrong here and it will get banged up. Also, some idiot living in Almadies thought it was good idea to bring a Bentley to Senegal; now that’s what I call more money than sense.
I’m looking forward to piloting a car that offers amenities that all of you probably consider standard issue. Like the handle that rolls down the windows. You’re likely thinking that I took this picture in today’s taxi to show you how crappy this ghetto wire contraption really is- but the real wonder is the fact that someone even bothered to fashion a replacement handle when the original one broke off thirty years ago.
For my hypothetical car, I have already been selecting my interior decorations. I bought this off the street while sitting in traffic one day (yes, while in the back of a taxi). What can I say? I know I’ve been here too long when I start handing money out the window for stuff that I would never consider otherwise. This is totally going to hang in the rear view mirror when I’m back in the States.
What about roof racks? I think I should probably consider adding some if I plan on purchasing a bike. Or a goat.
I also imagine that I’ll be doing a lot of road tripping, so before I leave I should really perfect the balancing act seen here- overloading one’s goods on top of a vehicle takes some serious Jenga skills. (And I’ve seen more than one of these guys overturned on the roadside, by the way.)
This afternoon I rolled through the part of Plateau that I like to call the Auto Zone quarter. All kinds of neat car-related stuff can be had here. I particularly like the hand-painted mud flaps for sale on this corner. Maybe I should pick a couple up before I go…
One thing’s for sure- I’m not going to be able to rely on the ease of “there really are no rules of the road” rules that seem to reign in Senegal. That said, this guy does look comfortable. Maybe I can get by using this technique till I find something equally as relaxing.
Who am I kidding? I’m not a car person at all- so all of this consideration is kind of exhausting and boring for me. I look forward to the car buying experience about as much as I look forward to outfitting and making pretty my future living space.
Actually, this car business might have just been made quite simple; I’ve been informed by my family that gas prices are absolutely ridiculous. So I’m hereby narrowing it down to a Prius or a horse cart. Both should make the HOV lane.