Motortaxis, or motos, or bodabodas

June 12, 2012

Yesterday was my first full day of exploring Kigali, although to be honest, I didn't get that much exploration done. We caught motortaxis, also known as motos or bodabodas, from Kagugu to downtown Kigali for 1000 RWF, or about $1.65 or so. This is a big change from the first day we arrived in Rwanda, when we got ripped off on a similar motortaxi ride for the same price for about a hundred meter drive.

Motortaxis are one of the options available for public transportation. There are also buses and standard cabs that can be ridden into and out of town for slighter lower or higher prices. Buses and cabs generally have standardized fees which depend on the distances traveled, whereas moto prices generally require some haggling, particular if you are a foreigner. Although buses are the cheapest option, they are generally extremely crowded with passengers, so not the most comfortable of rides. The cabs are the more expensive option of the lot, and the motos fall in the middle. During rush hour or in areas of heavy traffic, it is recommended that one opts for a ride in a moto since the bikes weave in and out of traffic much more easily and quickly than a car or a bus.

The 30 minute ride into downtown Kigali was well spent and worth every penny. Not only was it much faster than driving in a car (and much more dangerous - about every traffic law is broken on these bikes, and the helmets are more often broken than not, although at least they do have helmets for passengers. I also discovered on another ride that the spedometer of my driver's bike was broken, so I didn't actually know how fast we were going, although it was definitely over whatever the speed limit may have been in that area.), but the view is much more impactful. Driving in a car, one has a wall of metal side and a window between yourself and the view. Driving on a bike, there is nothing other than maybe the helmet. Terrifying, but exhilarating. The feel of the wind blasting past as I watched the city speed by stirred up such an adrenaline rush. And the country sprawls out in hills and hills past the roads we drove on. No wonder the country is known as "The land of a thousand hills". We passed people selling wares on the road, workers hoeing out a field, friends lounging at an outdoor bar? (not sure how to describe them or what they are called), women with bolts of kitenge, the local fabric. It was beautiful.

I'm excited to explore and discover more of this country during my time here!

(pictures are rather difficult to upload, so until next time!)