Everytime I've visited large cities in Africa, SE Asia, or similarly developed nations I have marveled at the pasenger vans used as taxis for the local residents. They are everywhere and so packed with people it's hard to see how they all fit. Well today we got to see this system in action first hand. We decided to go out and visit the National Museum. We walked outside the hotel gate and got a taxi across the street. It was a beat up old car and the driver charged us $200 schillings (about $10) to drive us about 15 minutes. We figured it was a good rate for him when he wanted to wait on us and take us back to our hotel. We encouraged him not to wait as we figured on being a while. After finishing at this museum we asked the attendant directions to the Ethnological Museum and discovered we could walk. The taxi was gone when we came out so we walked. It was sort of a difficult walk because the streets were filled with very poor people.

Our visit to the Ethnological Museum was equally interesting and the museum guide, a graduate student, was very knowledgable. After we finished the tour the guide walked us outside and Jim asked if he would assist in getting us a taxi. Being the snob that I can be, I was secretely pleased that I would not have to ride back in an old, run down car. So the guide says he will ride with us and make sure we get back to our hotel. We walk out to the street and he begins to negotiate with operators of the taxi van network driving along the street. Within a very short time one pulls up and the three of us pile in with the other 15 or so passengers already on board. It was so funny and probably my favorite part of the day. So, here is the way it works. There is a driver and a second person who hangs out the window and shouts out the direction they are traveling and how many seats are available. In addition to the installed bench seats there are stools they pull out from under the seats to fill in anywhere there is extra room (there really isn't any extra room!). Our ride back to the hotel cost $10 shillings for the three of us! What a bargin, and fun to boot.... (picure is after 3 got off and just before 4 got on. Note the guy hanging out the window on the right)