dust & 125cc

Hash over at White African has a nice little post about riding a chinese motorcycle around for a day in Kenya. In Southern Sudan they are everywhere.  You can pick up a new one between the range of $400 and $600. I rented one for a day once but it cost me $20. Hash was able to get his for KES 500 which is about $7. Juba is too expensive.

When I ride them in Juba my spirituality increases enormously.   From the moment I get on one till the time I get off, I am praying without ceasing.  Probably because I am not the one driving.  “Amshi biraa, biraa!” “Go slowly, slowly!”.

Driving in a vehicle can be scary and dangerous enough in Juba.  Motorcycles are just insane.  Most of the riders are young boys between the age of 10 and 16.  They love to go fast.  You can see how relaxed and comfortable they are sitting on their machines flying down the road.  Until they have an accident.

My driver on this day was very nice and went very slow.