An Adventure through African Streets
Every journey in a Bajaji, known as a tuk tuk in Kenya, India, and Thailand, is an experience that touches the soul and shakes the body. These vehicles, reminiscent of our mythical Italian apes, have become the vibrant and dynamic symbol of African cities, particularly Dar Es Salaam. Riding a Bajaji is not just a way to get around; it’s an immersion into the very pulse of the city.
Imagine sitting in a Bajaji in Dar Es Salaam. Every ride is a rollercoaster of emotions, a blend of adrenaline and fear. Chaotic traffic? No problem. The Bajaji tackles it with the confidence of an acrobat. It leaps over invisible walls, glides over bumps, and makes you bounce like a Pepsi can in a backpack. Every jolt is a small heart attack, every maneuver a dance between the possible and the impossible.
The Bajaji knows no obstacles. Can’t go right? It mounts the sidewalk, or rather, what seems like a vague semblance of a sidewalk. The continuous honking accompanies its passage among pedestrians, weary after a day’s work. And you, sitting there, wonder if any Bajaji has ever fallen into the long drainage ditches filled with putrid water. The thought crosses your mind, but it’s quickly swept away by the next turn.
As you speed through the streets, you’re also overwhelmed by a myriad of scents that confuse your senses. Is it food? Street food? Grilled chicken? Then, the fragrance of a passing lady so close you could shake her hand. The scents are a continuous surprise, much like life itself: sometimes acrid and sharp, other times so delightful you want to abandon your diet and take a bite out of the situation.
You have no sense of space inside a Bajaji. Every external corner becomes a perfect draft to get stuck in. The streets of Dar Es Salaam, like a giant Tetris game, are a constant challenge. But how fascinating is that? With less than 6000 TSH, you can go anywhere, unhindered.
Every journey is an opportunity to observe life flowing around you: the tired faces of workers, the women with long braids mingling with the smarter new generations. From 2017 to today, the city has changed. The black of the city has mixed with the white of a China that brought money and infrastructure. Skyscrapers, casinos, Chinese restaurants, pubs, pizzerias, even an Apple Store, where there used to be only mud and tin shacks.
The Bajaji remains perhaps the only true icon of a rapidly changing country. And you, reflecting, hope that this change happens as slowly as possible, to preserve the fascinating essence of Africa that has shaped your soul. You’ve seen many bad things, but somehow you know you like this Africa and can’t do without it. It’s like a good night of sex: you always want more.
In your Bajaji, while breathing in the city’s dust and watching your driver, tired after a day’s work, you realize how much this land has entered your heart. The Bajaji will take you home or wherever you want to go, like an arrow that once shot cannot stop until it reaches its target.
The Origins of the Bajaji
The Bajaji, or tuk tuk, has distant origins that date back to 1930s Japan, when the first three-wheeled vehicles were introduced. These economical and maneuverable vehicles quickly spread throughout Asia, finding fertile ground in countries like Thailand and India, where they became an integral part of urban life. In Africa, particularly in Tanzania, the Bajaji has become synonymous with accessible mobility and has assumed a crucial role in the daily transportation of cities. With its compact design and ability to navigate crowded and uneven streets, the Bajaji has become a symbol of urban adaptability and resilience.
Commentaires