Taxi Tales

My latest taxi tale started off as a normal taxi ride to work. Zig-zagging around through a neighborhood to avoid traffic (a common practice that I am quite certain does not save any time), we waited our turn at one of the many four-way stops. Then, as the driver turned right, the steering wheel came off the steering column! He slammed the brake, but not before we hopped the curb onto the sidewalk. Stunned, I watched as the driver picked up the steering wheel, stuck it back on the steering column, then carefully bumped off the sidewalk back onto the road. He delivered me safely to my office with a new appreciation for vehicle inspections and another story to tell. I really should record taxi stories to at least be a chapter in a book of experiences in West Africa, but since I lack the talent to write a book, I guess I'll stick with blogging.

What did you say?

This is a translated transcript from an actual dialogue I had with our guard the other night. It is a perfect example of communication between two people neither of whom speak the common language fluently. Background notes: Omo is laudry detergent that is commonly used to wash the car; guards do more than guard, they also wash cars, sweep, and water plants.

Guard: Sir, we are out of Omo.
Me: That's okay, you don't need to wash the car.
Guard: Can I have money to buy some Omo?
Me: No. You don't need to wash the car.
Guard: I use Omo to wash the car.
Me: I know, but you don't need to wash the car.
Guard: You can buy Omo at the boutique for 20 cents.
Me: I know. But you don't need to wash the car.
Guard: Okay.

The next morning as I left for work, I found that he had washed the car, apparently with only water (no soap). Looking back, I think he understood me to say "you don't need it (Omo) to wash the car", which would be a very strange thing to say, thus he kept questioning it.

Arabic Graffiti

This is why we keep a camara in the car! The writing in the dust on the back window of the car is in arabic script. Somehow, it actually looks prettier than "Wash Me" in roman script.

Electrical Engineering?

Where's the Duct Tape!?! This is what I saw when I removed the electrical panel in the garage this week. This is where, in the US, you would have a panel full of circuit breakers, but why waste money on circuit breakers? Notice the red and blue bunches of wires - this is how our house is tied into the electric meter (the black wires in the bunches). It should not surprise me that we have electrical problems in our house!!!

Africa's Automobile

Ford is making a bid to steal small truck market share from Toyota's Hilux (a truck not available in the US but hands-down the most popular truck in developing countries world-wide). Local gas stations are giving away Rangers, and Ford advertizes itself as "Africa's Automobile". However, I've only seen a dozen of them on the roads in the year that I've been here.

Happy Ramadan!

This is a billboard advertisement that Coca-Cola has put up all around Dakar. It reads, "Happy Ramadan", the muslim month of fasting (they fast during the daytime and eat at night).

In case your dog needs inspiration...

The statue everyone needs in their garden. I took this picture at the hospital where my son was born here in Senegal.

Who ya' gonna call?

Don't complain about the greasy handprints on your steering wheel or the mud on the floor mats when you pick up your car. This ain't Mr. Clean's garage! I took this picture myself in West Texas.

Fatty Briefs

A friend in Hong Kong took this picture. Not much marketing savy at this underwear factory! I'm sure it's a fad that Fruit of the Loom will pick up soon - "Fruit of the Loom Fatty Briefs - for the pear-shaped man!"

Car Rapides

'Car Rapides' are one form of public transport here in Dakar. They're cheap & dirty (like the 'apprentice' posing in front of it), infamous for bad driving, and a fun way to get around town! For more on 'Car Rapides', see www.TheReynoldsReview.blogspot.com.