Riding the Dala Dala

Sunday, August 15, 2011

The dalla dalla is the local transportation system here in Tanzania. It costs 500 tsh (Tanzanian shillings) to ride it into Arusha and 200 tsh to ride into Usa. (500tsh is about the equivalent of 30 cents or something). One of the nannies, Teonna, and I walked to the end of our road, crossed the street, and waited to get picked up for a ride into town. While still afar off, the dalla dalla started honking repeatedly until it came speeding straight at us, skidding to a stop maybe a couple inches from where we were standing. I thought my life was going to end right then and there as it was speeding towards us, but the driver somehow missed hitting us. When the door opened, I noticed that this vehicle was already packed full to the brim, so I naturally assumed we would wait for the next one to come along…but no! To my surprise, we were shoved on by the guy who opens and closes the door. With a couple smacks on the roof by that same guy, the dalla dalla took off, skidding back onto the road with the door still wide open and me still dangling out! What I learned is that it does not matter how many seats there are, because you can fit three times as many people in there! Teonna told me that the most she has counted inside of a dalla dalla was 34 people! I was across from (smushed face to face with) an old man picking his nose and I also had someone sitting on my lap somewhat, while the people on either side of me were half under me and half over me. The body positioning changes at each stop as some get off and more climb on. This rearranging of bodies and smells keeps things interesting. The loud music is also fun. I wish I could have gotten my camera out to take a picture of the scene, but I couldn’t move and it also would’ve been really awkward as no one would have appreciated it. So for now, you will just have to imagine it. Riding the dalla dalla into town is something I will probably get used to eventually, but I will always remember this first experience!