In Africa they use minivans as taxis which they call ‘combis’ and they drive at reckless speeds and are generally not in good repair. Accidents are a common occurrence, usually with a few fatalities. These drivers like to ‘hoot’ their horns when they go past to signal that they are there and are open to pick people up. There is one that goes past our compound every day at 6am. Sometimes I think he likes to give his horn an extra long hoot as he goes past.
The smells of Africa are body odor and diesel fuel. Shona people out where we are don’t use deodorant or antiperspirant so when I’m working with the men it is always very ‘fragrant’. It’s strange, but it is just one more thing that you get used to and don’t even really care about after a while. I still choose to use deodorant, but it doesn’t bother me that nobody else does. Diesel is the primary fuel of choice for vehicles in Africa and it is easier to obtain than petrol. Our trucks, tractors and generators are all diesel powered so I often get diesel on my hands when I’m fueling up my generator and it takes a good scrubbing to the get smell off.
