Riding in Uganda taxi's is a very interesting experience. There are three types of 'taxi's'. The first - Taxi's, are small mini-bus type cars that stop along specific routes and carry about 15 passengers. We have yet to venture into one of these because 1. You need to know exactly where you're going and 2. Each time the door opens it looks like we would have to sit on somebody's lap who is already in the van.
The second type of taxi is a 'boda boda' or motorbike, where one or two people can cram on the back of the motorcycle with a driver, and weave through traffic to your destination. We have taken the 'boda' route once, and after the ride that mode of transportation was nixed going forward by almost everybody on the team.
The last type of a taxi is a 'special hire'. 'Special hires' are normal taxis that you negociate your price prior to getting in the cab. Since we have 5 women, we always squeeze into one of these cabs. The interesting thing about the taxi's is that none of the ever fill up their gas tanks, so if someboody steals their car, they can't go very far. We have been in a taxi on 3-4 different occasions where we pulled into a gas station to fill up a few minutes after we got into a car. The guide book even recommends getting in a taxi at the top of a hill.
Last night we met a taxi driver who we have decided will be our driver for the rest of the trip. His name is George and he has a 'thing' for Whitney. He asked Courtney is she had a boyfriend, and after Courtney said NO, George said the following:
"I like how tall she is. I like her hair. I like everything about her."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Don't forget to stop for gas!
Please note - since this post we have discovered a 4th type of taxi - The Slow Boda aka Bike with a pillow on the back for a passenger. Courtney has already bought one to ride to school with Hanns.
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P.S. I do NOT like everything about George but am willing to take one for the team for the following reasons:
1. he doesn't smell (very rare for African cabbies... okay cabbies any where in the world)
2. he speaks perfect English and therefore I don't have to say "pardon?" 50 times while trying to make polite convo from the front passenger seat
3. he gives us cheap prices, and I hate negotiating
4. he even likes my pigpen feet
5. he took us on a dirt road mogul ride last night that rivaled any amusement park ride
That's right, taking one for the team AND a cabbie. I know nothing about those things...
Note the correct usage of the phrase "taking one for the team". Also, Bets, it should be noted there was no making out with the cabbie...
You all are toooooo hilarious, who writes these things.
Sidebar - sorry we forgot to tell you about the birds. They are sooooo huge!
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