Night driving is only for the brave of heart, and those who have absolutely no sense what so ever!!

We are headed to Mole National Park.  This is very exciting for a couple of reasons.  First we will probably get to see elephants and seriously how cool is that, second we will be meeting up with 4 other coaches.  We are excited to be able to exchange stories, compare notes and brainstorm around common issues.  Okay and maybe share a beer :)



Road side foliage coated in red dust

However to get there from here is quite a long drive...and that means we will need to drive at dark.  Now to understand the significance of that statement let me set the scene for you.  First picture a very narrow two lane road, or to be more accurate a wide single land road, add alternating pavement and dirt sections.  In the pavement sections include massive potholes that cause the drivers to weave and swerve between them.  Now make the dirt very fine with a rich red color the billows up around you obliterating anyone that may be behind.  Okay so you have your road, lets add some traffic, anything that you can get to run can go on the road.  From three wheeled trikes with small boxes to massive freight trucks and everything in between.  Now lets add people, lots and lots of people.  People walking with buckets of water, people biking with piles of wood, groups of people, people pushing wheelbarrows, small people and big people, people everywhere. 



taking a load of yarrow to market

Now in the day time this is tricky but manageable, well usually.  But at night a couple of extra factors come into play.  First not all of those vehicles actually have lights, second that dust that was billowing up around you all day has settled into a thick layer on your window and any head lights that approach create a bright reflective glare.  However by far the scariest thing is the people they loom up out of the night on the side of the road, barely visible.  Now don't think that this will slow anyone down, that would be silly. There is a system now that you should know about, when driving at night and another vehicle approaches you put your left turn signal on, not to signal a left turn, although it can mean that as well.  No you put your turn signal on to show that you are owning your side of the road and the approaching vehicle should try and stay on the other side. Additionally it indicates to any vehicles behind you that someone is coming so they shouldn't pass right now. 

 We are very lucky as we have an excellent driver, Moses, however I think I will make Heidi ride in the front so that don't put a whole in the floor of Moses's truck from trying to hit the breaks.

 

As we drove I was reminded of the Sowchea school kids 'be safe be seen' campaign.  I think I will bring up the idea of the credit union providing reflectors to the kids in the youth savings program as a reward for setting such a good example for their peers and well frankly to help keep them alive.

Moses our driver with a load of plantain