Sumi would hate it here

"There may be many bumps along your road, but sometimes we need a few bumps to make us appreciate the smooth roads when we are on them."




Driving in Kenya. I do not drive, obviously. But, I have to get around some how. Otherwise I would be stuck eating Ughali and cabbage at the orphanage daily. Even then, I had to get a ride from the airport to the orphanage.

The first thing that strikes you, are the random speed bumps in the middle of the road. They are not potholes or just random bumps. There are real, honest to goodness, knock your head on the ceiling of the car, speed bumps randomly placed all along the main roads. Of course, this does not stop people from driving like maniacs and slamming on the breaks just before you hit these speed bumps.

There are a few ways to get around Kenya.
1. The City Hoppa: This is a form of transport I have not experienced just yet. It is a city bus that stops at major towns (Major being any town with a store). Usually they pass us by, being already filled with people.

2. Taxi: This is the most expensive form of transport around here (save renting and driving your own car). But, it is the quickest and most comfortable way of getting anywhere. Unless of course the driver smells, and the windows are broke so you cannot roll them down. I have had the pleasure of using a Taxi three times already. It is good to get all of our groceries back to The Children's home, because the bus stop is a mile up and down and up again a hill from the home.

3. Mtatu: By far the most "cultural" way to get around. This is how most people do it. The travel books have a blast describing this form of transport. Their accounts vary from, exciting to dangerous. It is a van, pretty much. With 4 rows of three seats. So, it should fit about 12. Usually there are more (up to 16 once). So you sit, crammed in to a van. Music blaring, smoke coming from who knows where on the van, hoping it does not break down before your stop because, you already paid.

I get around by Mtatu mostly. It is very inexpensive, and kind of like riding a roller coaster, minus the safety bar. They have two speeds, rolling to a stop and pray to God speed. They are very intent on getting places fast. So, on the roads, barely big enough to fit the cars going both ways, they frequently pass people. Sometimes you see a car headed straight at you, and you just close your eyes until you know it has passed.

Surprisingly enough, I have not seen any accidents.