Overseas Adventures: Hitchhikers

Along the road in Swaziland, there are many people asking for rides. There is basically one major road that goes West to East across the country, which lends itself to people asking for a hitch to the next town. I usually am in a rush to get to work and don't pick up these people, but today I had to make a quick, early-morning trip to the Malkerns (about an hour and twenty minute drive from Sitkei).

Snake lilies on the side off the road

I noticed that early in the morning, there are a lot of police stops on the road. The police stand in the road and wave you over to the side to check your license, car registration, etc. I, unfortunately, was one of the lucky ones to get pulled over on Wednesday. It was fine and the cop was very nice. But I always hate the hassle.

I was cleared to go, and as I approached Manzini, I pulled over to pick up a lady. (Mom, this is VERY safe in Swaziland, I promise!). She motioned to her two other friends to hop in the car. I started talking to them, and they were cleaning ladies in Manzini. One of the ladies mentioned that there were "very few buses out today", and so they had been waiting a particularly long time. I asked why there were so few buses, and she replied, "because there are many police today!". Now, to understand why the bus drivers are scared to drive when the police are out in full force, you have to understand the condition of the buses on the road in Swaziland. Most of them are dilapidated, completely filled over capacity, with the blackest black exhaust pouring out of the exhaust pipe. Not to mention, I have no idea if the bus registrations are up to date! So I guess the bus drivers all call each other to warn of police stops and the buses stay off the road on those particular days. Interesting.

I also picked up another lady on the way home, who worked at a nearby orphanage. She was describing the high numbers of orphans. She (who was a Swazi herself), also began to comment on the Swazi's "total lack of family planning". The culture is definitely to have many kids in quick succession at a young age, however, I thought this was an interesting comment on her part.

I realized you can learn a lot about Swazi culture by acting as a taxi-woman!

When I got back to the clinic, I asked Jono, "What is your opinion on giving rides to people on the side of the road, because I may have done so today...". He was fine with it and agreed it was completely safe. I often use his facial expressions upon hearing my stories to gauge whether something was a good idea or a bad idea.

After work, Jono told me, Ang, and Dr. Gregor to pack up our stuff. He wanted to have tea on some "special rocks". He took us to the Muti Muti Conservancy which is an area of land he helps protect. It overlooks his property and the valley below. It was gorgeous!