Driving in Tanzania

Driving in Iringa is tricky. I’m just starting to get used to this right-handed driver’s side with the left-handed 5 speed stick, going down the wrong side of the road. Everything seems backward inside the cab. (We’re using a Toyota Landcrusier) The windshield wipers are where the turn-signals are in US cars, so I’ve been signaling turns with my wipers. But few signal turns here anyway. Just yesterday, after being here over three weeks, I saw someone signal for the first time. The traffic here is challenging. By that I mean, there are not only cars, trucks and motorbikes, but two-wheel carts full of anything you could imagine being pushed down the street, there are bicycles, people walking and carrying huge loads of wood or big plastic containers of water on their heads. Cars and trucks just stop and park, or they go by so fast it sends chill down my spine. The Daladala, or public transportation vans are the scariest of all. They are always overloaded with people who are packed in like sardines, hanging out the doors and windows. No doubt the drivers of the Daladala must see themselves as invincible and immortal by the way they drive, No Fear! There’s a lot of horn honking here. If someone is in the way or walking too far out on the road (two lanes) you give them a short honk. If someone is really in the way or stopped or sleeping at the wheel, it’s a long honk. The honking is expected, it’s part of the program here. Everyone seems to be honking at us most of the time. Most of the main roads in Iringa are fairly good. But once you’re off the main roads, look out. There are deep ruts and ditches and lots of running in first and second gears. Minnesota’s “pot-holes” aren’t even close. Each time Beth and I drive somewhere, it’s an adventure. And each time we’re given directions to someplace, we usually get lost for a while. Luckily, the people here are friendly and always willing to help a “wazungu” (white person) with directions, even to the point of actually getting inside the car and showing you the way. They aren’t hung-up about riding with strangers. I am amazed at the number of people carrying heavy loads up and down the streets. And bicycles are commonly used to carry huge loads of firewood, or 150 pound bags of grain, or cement or bananas. They push the bikes for miles with these loads. The other day we even saw a man pushing a bed down the street on a bike. Diesel fuels most vehicles here. We filled up yesterday, it cost over $100,000 Tanzanian shillings, or about $80 US. It’s equivalent to about $6.00/per gallon, which makes $2.50 gas look pretty cheap. Imagine that! It has been quite an experience to drive here. I’ll never gripe about traffic or drivers at home again. Keep us in your prayers!