The Bajaji

I can’t think of a better way to be introduced to Dar than by Bajaji.  Soon after my arrival in the city, I had the pleasure of riding in one of these three-wheeled vehicles and quickly realized that this would be my main mode of transport.   There is a single seat in the front for the driver and a seat in the back which can fit 2 people comfortably.  But the driver will often have a friend or two along, and we will often try to pile 3 or 4 in the back to make the whole thing a wonderful entanglement of limbs.  Smaller than cars and trucks, the Bajaji is free to weave in and out of traffic and often bypasses traffic by making its own path in between oncoming traffic and the proper lane…or by simply driving half on the road and half on the pedestrian walkways.  Due to the absence of doors, it is not out of the ordinary to white knuckle the seats in order to prevent ejection from the vehicle.  It’s also prudent to keep appendages inside the vehicle during the numerous close encounters you are bound to have with other vehicles.  Bajajis are a cheaper alternative to taxis, but it is important that the Bajaji customer be a quick judge of character – to be able to look a driver in the eye and predict exactly what level of rationality he is willing to show on the road.  I have been using the same driver every day to get to and from work.  I feel Siprian has found a good balance between making the trip exciting and taking relatively few gambles with my life.