I think i mentioned before about the Matatu being the most popular form of Public transportation, but in fact i have found that it is private, anyone can start a matatu, i thihnk its kind of lik a franchise??? anyway they all have numbers and depending on the number is where they go, like a public bus. but the thing is there is nothing to tell you their routes, you just have to know. so if i want to go anywhere i have to ask joe, or eunice which Matatu i need to take.
So here's how it works...
To get to the orphanage i have to walk down the street and catch the '135 Matatu,' seems simple right? WRONG! as soon as you go to the stop there are at least 3 matatus which means there a 3 guys crowding around you, trying to convince you to talke their Matatu, when you finally find the right now you have to ask how much it costs (usually it's between 40 and 70 shillings, but you don't really know if they are cheating you becuase you are white so that automatically means you have money so they can shortchange you and you would never know!) then when you know, you crowd into this 12 seater van...only you are on there with anywhere from 12-24 people (seriously, there were 24 people one time, 3 guys were hanging out the door) the entire ride you have to sit squished between at least four other people and try to protect your pockets and belongings at the same time as trying to breate the filthy air and know where you are and how long until you have to get off, because yes, these Matatus have routes, but they only ever stop if you tell the money collector guy...Oh yeah! any paying! somteime during the journey, the guy will ask for the money and you have to give as close to the amount as possible, because like i said before they WILL shortchange you. than as you get off you are trying to squeeze past 18 other people riding and trying not to touch any of them...by the time I get off the Matatu, i am ready for another shower!
I know it sounds really bad, but it is an experience that i don't think anyone should live without :)
4 comments:
WOW. What an experience. By the time you're ready to come home -- you'll be a PRO! Maybe I shouldn't complain about the Max, huh?
LOVE YOU!
D
This is like the busses to Tijuana from San Diego. It starts as a Greyhound and when it gets to the border you get off and get on a Matatu. OMGosh I can still smell it. How much do I love my Toyota.
You could start commercial service or them... I got a great slogan... Do U Matatu? Hey, leave me alone, I'm tired!
I wet to something close to that in Paraguay... but people weren't hanging
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