When I watch a well-run intersection, I find it fascinating how the cars flow past each other. It seems like organized chaos with numerous unspoken rules... a little like a game. In Cape Town, it is a whole different ball park though! At one intersection on the way to Jubilee Community Church, tow trucks sit under the bridge every day waiting for an accident.
Many types of drivers fill the streets, and the taxis simply add a new spice to the mix. These minivans carry anywhere from 1 to over 20 passengers. A helper hangs out hte window, whistling at passersby and calling out the taxi's destination: "Mobricap, Cape Town!" or "Wynberg! Wynberg!" When the taxi pulls over to the side of the road, this fellow also opens the door for the passengers and collects their change. It usually costs me ten rand (around $1) to take the taxi from Rondebosch to Jubilee Church in Observatory. I usually catch a ride with some of the staff from Jubilee when I need to get to the church, though.
Taxis seem to have a road code all their own, and there has been fighting in the Nyanga township between the taxi drivers and the police. Most taxi drivers don't have a driver's licence, and the police are cracking down on them. This past week two Golden Arrow buses were set on fire as part of the fray.
In the end, for myself I just learn to keep my eyes open when I am on the road or crossing it. I actually really enjoy the thrill of crossing the road here. Only newbies wait for the traffic light; everyone else simply crosses when the coast is clear--or clear enough. While in Vietnam one could trust motorbikes to swerve around you when crossing the road, here it is better to trust no one--particularly not taxis!
I think it will be interesting to start driving again when I return to Canada. I haven't driven for 8 months, and the places I have been to don't follow the same rules as North America! I appreciate how traffic flows in an orderly fashion in Canada. However, I have learned to appreciate the fluidity and spontaneity of life while I am here, attributes which are mirrored in their driving patterns.
I'm not sure how these past months have affected my driving abilities, but thankfully I have my licence and don't have to worry about passing another driving test until I'm 80!
While I'm on the topic of traveling, I will be leaving South Africa on Sunday. My 6-month internship is nearly up, and I am going to reunite with my team-mates in Kenya. I am looking forward to the next phase of this journey, but also really sad to be leaving a place that has really blessed me and changed me. I would appreciate prayer for the rest of my travels (which include Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt and Turkey) and also that I would be able to leave well. Everyone's prayers and support has meant a lot to me in these past six months! Thank you! ...And don't forget to stay tuned for the final flourish over the next couple weeks :)
Many types of drivers fill the streets, and the taxis simply add a new spice to the mix. These minivans carry anywhere from 1 to over 20 passengers. A helper hangs out hte window, whistling at passersby and calling out the taxi's destination: "Mobricap, Cape Town!" or "Wynberg! Wynberg!" When the taxi pulls over to the side of the road, this fellow also opens the door for the passengers and collects their change. It usually costs me ten rand (around $1) to take the taxi from Rondebosch to Jubilee Church in Observatory. I usually catch a ride with some of the staff from Jubilee when I need to get to the church, though.
Taxis seem to have a road code all their own, and there has been fighting in the Nyanga township between the taxi drivers and the police. Most taxi drivers don't have a driver's licence, and the police are cracking down on them. This past week two Golden Arrow buses were set on fire as part of the fray.
In the end, for myself I just learn to keep my eyes open when I am on the road or crossing it. I actually really enjoy the thrill of crossing the road here. Only newbies wait for the traffic light; everyone else simply crosses when the coast is clear--or clear enough. While in Vietnam one could trust motorbikes to swerve around you when crossing the road, here it is better to trust no one--particularly not taxis!
I think it will be interesting to start driving again when I return to Canada. I haven't driven for 8 months, and the places I have been to don't follow the same rules as North America! I appreciate how traffic flows in an orderly fashion in Canada. However, I have learned to appreciate the fluidity and spontaneity of life while I am here, attributes which are mirrored in their driving patterns.
I'm not sure how these past months have affected my driving abilities, but thankfully I have my licence and don't have to worry about passing another driving test until I'm 80!
While I'm on the topic of traveling, I will be leaving South Africa on Sunday. My 6-month internship is nearly up, and I am going to reunite with my team-mates in Kenya. I am looking forward to the next phase of this journey, but also really sad to be leaving a place that has really blessed me and changed me. I would appreciate prayer for the rest of my travels (which include Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt and Turkey) and also that I would be able to leave well. Everyone's prayers and support has meant a lot to me in these past six months! Thank you! ...And don't forget to stay tuned for the final flourish over the next couple weeks :)
Thinking and praying for you as you transition!
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