Seven on One
- Sep 7, 2024
- 1 min read
Scott -
The transportation system in our part of Sierra Leone is built on small, inexpensive motorcycles. If a family has any kind of vehicle, it is most likely a motorcycle. If someone needs to hire transportation, it will be on a motorcycle. Who needs a minivan, suburban, or delivery truck when you have a motorcycle?
As we were driving down a dirt road this week, well out of town, we passed a family on their motorcycle standing in the middle of the road. I assume the mother needed a minute’s relief from her three inches of seat. I couldn’t resist. I stopped our Toyota Prodo and backed up next to them. They waited expectantly for the white people, who had suddenly taken an interest—we are a novelty here. I rolled down my window, smiled and said hello. The father returned a smile that more than equaled mine. I told him we were impressed that he could drive with seven people on his motorcycle. He seemed delighted to have eclipsed our imaginations and explained they were on their way to the fields to work. I asked, and he agreed, to a picture. Snap. As we drove off, his wife resumed her spot at the end of the seat and they continued on their way to the fields.
One can not make this stuff up!
😂😂I’ll never complain about the middle seat of an airplane again!
This is also the common mode of transportation in India! When I visited South India back in 2002, I marveled at the delicate and precarious balancing act of of seeing 5-7+ people piled onto a motorcycle or scooter, careening down the road. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it, and I loved how happy the people were as they went about the town or city. (fyi I am one of Leica Merriam's sisters.)
African minivan!!! What a beautiful family!!
This reminds me so much of our visits to Uganda. Thousands of small Chinese made motorcycles most of the with the brand name Boxer filled the streets; and the drivers would take you anywhere but hang on for dear life as they swerve in and out of traffic with no one wearing a helmet. They were not called taxis’s, they were called boda boda’s.
It’s too easy to be judgmental with mothers riding on the back of these motorcycles holding infants in their arms. Or seeing entire families fitted on a single motorcycle like in the picture you posted, but they are simply doing the best they can.
This picture brings back so many memories.