Two weeks ago, i came across a local chap during work and had to give him a lift in my car from his place of work to where i had to go. For his return journey he requested me to pay for his taxi fare. He asked for 5 units of the local currency. I gave this chap the 5 bucks he requested. As soon as he left i turned to my accountant and asked him, "5 bucks for a taxi??" He replied in affirmative. I did not ask him anything more and assumed that traveling in a taxi must be very cheap here.
Yesterday evening, i was on my way back from office and noticed quite a few ladies traveling on a cycle. The point to be noted here is that, they were not riding the cycle but were sitting on the carrier behind the cycle. I closed my eyes and thought to myself, "I have been see this scene almost everyday." I opened my eyes and looked carefully at the cycle that was coming towards me on the opposite side of the road. It was a simple cycle with a carrier. I wondered how these ladies managed to sit at the back of a cycle - on a metal carrier - and travel through the pot-holes filled roads. I looked at another cycle traveling in my direction and for the first time noticed something different. Instead of the carrier, there was a cushioned seat at the back. I saw another cycle and noticed the same. I smiled.
My mind immediately ran back to the 5 bucks that i had given for a taxi ride two weeks ago...
Please note: Cars are very much used as taxis here. The 'cycle taxis' are used as a mode of transport by those who cannot afford traveling by car. It is also a source of income for some of the local guys.
Yesterday evening, i was on my way back from office and noticed quite a few ladies traveling on a cycle. The point to be noted here is that, they were not riding the cycle but were sitting on the carrier behind the cycle. I closed my eyes and thought to myself, "I have been see this scene almost everyday." I opened my eyes and looked carefully at the cycle that was coming towards me on the opposite side of the road. It was a simple cycle with a carrier. I wondered how these ladies managed to sit at the back of a cycle - on a metal carrier - and travel through the pot-holes filled roads. I looked at another cycle traveling in my direction and for the first time noticed something different. Instead of the carrier, there was a cushioned seat at the back. I saw another cycle and noticed the same. I smiled.
My mind immediately ran back to the 5 bucks that i had given for a taxi ride two weeks ago...
Please note: Cars are very much used as taxis here. The 'cycle taxis' are used as a mode of transport by those who cannot afford traveling by car. It is also a source of income for some of the local guys.
