"Road Rules..."

Before I go onto the main point of this blog, I wanted to share with you the Human Development Index the United Nations just released. For an FYI Canada is ranked #4 and the United States is ranked #13-in the "Very High Human Development" category...

Benin 161

Togo 159

Above are the Human Development Index (HDI) rankings of Benin and Togo out of 182 countries in the recent United Nations Human Development Report 2009; both are in the "Low Human Development" category. As you know, we are currently serving in Benin and in February 2010 we will be in Togo.

Now, onto the main point of this blog. Road Rules...in Africa....

If you have a car/minivan/motorbike...

#1 Put as many people as you can into or on your car/minivan/motorbike

#2 Stop and add more people to your car/minivan/motorbike...especially if you are a taxi

#3 Just when you think you cannot add one more person...add another person

#4 Load the roof of the car or minivan with supplies

#5 Go as fast as you can without causing an accident

#6 Stop anywhere to let people out

#7 Park almost anywhere you can...the side of the road, the curb (if there is one), the meridian, the middle of the road if the side is already taken...especially if you are a semi-truck

#8 To go around parked vehicles, use the other side of the road...and flash your lights as you are coming

#9 Lane usage is optional, especially if you are a motorbike

#10 Drive in the middle of the road when possible

#11 Stop lights are optional...just slow to see if someone is coming...if not...go

#12 Use your horn...when passing...when stopped...to tell someone to get out of the way...whenever you feel the urge...just because

#13 When driving a motorbike aim at the "Yovo" (white person) while beeping your horn to tell them to move

#14 Keep aiming at the "Yovo" until they do move

#15 If the "Yovo" does not move, swerve quickly just before impact and yell at them in French or Fon or whatever language they don't speak

#16 When the road needs repairing, get some friends, repair it, put up a rope, then charge a toll for use

#17 Throw rocks at the vehicles who don't pay the toll

#18 The biggest vehicle has right of way, unless you are a motorbike then create your own rules

#19 When driving a semi-truck, at the end of the day pull over wherever, put your hammock up under the truck and go to sleep

#20 Headlights at night are optional

#21 Where sunglasses at all times...even at night

#22 Carry anything you can and as much as you can in or on your vehicle...

(PS-the goats are alive!)

Needless to say, Alisia will not be getting her driver's licence any time soon!