The sun might have set on the British Empire decades ago and perhaps the legacy of that period leaves a little bit left to be desired for some, however there is one seriously important contribution the latter part of the colonial period brought to the wilds of Africa and humankind; the Land Rover.
As some might recall, I was quite enamored with these rugged, spartan little automobiles for a period of time. I certainly ended up with my fair share of money pit 'exotic' cars over the years, but even though my father and I entertained the idea of getting a hold of one and bringing it back to life (we went so far as to go look at one in New Bedford one weekend while I was in high school), I never found myself behind the wheel of a Land Rover until now.
For the bulk of my first two weeks here I have been moving around in a Tie-ota Landcruiser, another staple her in the less than developed world.
Driving a Landcruiser and its none too forgiving suspension around greater Juba is about as enjoyable as driving a lowered, tuned, Honda Civic on Delancy Street in Manhattan. Delancy Street is one of those horrible stretches of road where the asphalt has waves in it from all the heavy truck traffic. Just awful, really beats you up. It more closely resembles a BMX track than a road.
Because there is a dirth of operational vehicles around here it was necessary for me to give up the Landcruiser in favor of a late model Land Rover Defender kitted out as an ambulance.
Recalling those 70s Land Rovers my father and I looked at and just how spartan they were, I wasn't really looking forward to the ride. I figured it could only be a worse ride, not a better one, than the Landcruiser. Wasn't I just tickled pink when i got in, took off and quickly discovered that the ride quality resembled that of Cadillac, rather than that of a tuned Honda civic as I drove the cratered road to Juba.
Hallelujah! Now all I have to do is hope that no one mistakes me for someone with an ounce of medical know how as I tool around in my ambulance!
It'll be smooth sailing all week. Now I just have to write a budget that includes the acquisition of a new Land Rover Defender for the likes of me. This new one will be sure to have A/C! Only drawback of the current one. Can't win them all.
Don't screw up the forumla Tata!!
Two posts in one day, testament to the level of boredom one is faced with.
No comments:
Post a Comment