On the way to church this morning in a neighboring town, we came up behind this bush taxi. As you can see, there are many sheep on the roof rack. This is a very common way to transport animals here in Niger. Donkeys have been seen in a similar position, but usually only on a car. (too heavy to lift up onto a van I suppose!) One hazard of riding inside this vehicle (at least if you have a window seat) is that the animals (of course) periodically have to answer the call of nature, and it ends up running down the (open) windows, or blowing inside. Not my idea of a "shower"! The bush taxi is certain to be packed to the gills with people, not air conditioned, and unreliable in soundness of operation. It is Ramadan, and many are fasting (no food or water) from sun-up to sun-down. This merely adds to the discomfort of the passengers, who are certain to be overheated and uncomfortable.
1 comment:
I think the phrase in America is "packed in like sardines"; the phrase you could say is "packed in, well, up like sheep"! Thanks for sharing part of their culture with us!
Gina
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