Not sure of the original credit for this print. Found it here.
We use a lot of taxis here. And if you saw my Facebook page the other day, you would've noticed the photograph I took of how the monsoons can impact these taxis. The handle had black mold growing on it.
That's typical here. Most taxis are older cars. Rusting. Paint chipped. Dints and bangs on doors. Sometimes, the inside has been gutted. Perhaps there's no door panel. Often, windows are stuck in a semi-rolled-down stance. No matter.
Unless it's raining. And all the monsoon's glory comes showering you, sideways, through windows. You're soaked. Wiping rain off your cheek.
Well, both cheeks, really. Because, usually, you sit down on damp seats. The other night, I got home with even my panties soaked through. No Joke.
But that's exactly what you need, actually. Insert: Sense of Humor. It's necessary. A requirement. Otherwise, you may be...uh...slightly grossed out.
Regardless, you will be wet.
I often get flashbacks to when we lived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2003-2004); the taxis were much worse than these old, crumpling Toyotas in Yangon. In Addis, you got old, crumpling Russian Ladas! Don't know what a Lada is? Here:
Credit from this site.
That's a real taxi from Addis Ababa. A nice one, too! I have vivid memories of the following:
- Rusted out bottoms of Lada taxis with gaping holes. Had to be careful to place your feet on either side of the hole as you got a great view of the quickly passing pavement below!
- Seats taped together.
- Seats held together and kept tightly (sorta?) upright with bungy cords. And string.
- Flea bites after Fasika. During Fasika (Easter), people buy goats from the side of the road and transport them home in Lada taxis for a feast. You'd get flea bites afterwards.
... Just a very, very wet bum. Oh, and lots of inhalation of highly (I think?) toxic mildew and mold.
That's not so bad, though, is it?
Lol oh dear Becky you certainly take each day as it comes there don't you:) By the way the car you describe with the black mould etc. sounds like my car - when Lee owned it I remember how he lovingly polished it. But it has travelled - a lot lol with two hairy dogs and lots of kids and old people so the odour can be very distinctive too:~ keep the blogs coming - very entertaining and enlightening and funny too:) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gail. It gets pretty funny sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the taxis in any way resemble your car! Trust me! I've been in your car. LOL They are miles away in comparison. :) LOL
Hmm - ok so I am sitting here with a very very wet bottom, having forgotten to check the seat quickly first before I jumped into the taxi! However, the luxury viewing pane in the floor compensates for upholstery moisture! Don't you just love Yangon Taxis!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, I really love your blog - and I love the way you are recording your first impressions of living here. Those fresh impressions soon fade and it is great to have them here to look back on. And to remind us to check out the taxi seats as rainy season comes around again next year!
See you on Wednesday with a book and no spoons :)
Oh, dear, Feisty! (Love the 'luxury viewing pane in the floor.') lol
ReplyDeleteHey, at least our taxi last night had plastic on its seats! LOL
Thank you for your compliments. I love YOUR blog and how brave you are.
:) Thank you!
“ taxi services available visit this site”
ReplyDeleteTunbridge cabs