How many Tanzanians can you fit in a daladala?

How many Tanzanians can you fit in a daladala?

Answer:  Always one more!

So this event actually took place back in June, but is just such a good story I need to share it.

Tanzania has a lot of daladalas, which are pretty much large vans with seats for about 12 – 16 people.  Just because there are that many seats does not mean that only that number of people fit in.  Tanzanians tend to fit in as many people as humanly possible, since they will make more money with more passengers.  These packed vehicles can have some petty theft incidents (one PCT had his wallet stolen the first morning he rode a daladala) and if you’re claustrophobic, it’s definitely not for you.

Despite the potential closeness with strangers, it’s a cheap mode of transportation.  Only 300 Tsh (Tanzanian shillings), which is about 20 cents.  There are conductors who collect money, make sure the door can actually slide shut (this can sometimes be an issue), and help load luggage.  Some other PCTs and I would take the daladala together to our training center almost every morning during training.  There were jam-packed rides, boring ones where we got seats without a problem, and the best ride any of us have had in country.

We were walking toward the road when a completely empty daladala pulled up.  The conductor hopped out, shouted “Wazungu!  Faster!”  We rushed to get there, he ushered us in, and slammed the door shut.  The driver then sped off at the fastest speed a dala could go.  At the next stop the conductor jumped out, yelled “Faster!” at more people, who rushed to join us, and the driver sped off again.  We suddenly found that our daladala was racing another one down the dirt road, and a stop was coming up.  The other dala got their first, but our driver pulled in front and boxed them in.  The conductor hopped out, continued to usher people in, and physically arrange them so more people could fit.  My friend Emily was sitting on a bench, and the conductor grabbed her knees and physically turned them a few inches.  Her skirt came above her knees (gasp!  It’s ok, she was wearing leggings) and he politely (without violating her or anything) pulled her skirt back over her knees.  He was a crazy and enthusiastic guy who kept getting more people to come on his daladala, until it was completely packed.

When we finally got to our stop, the conductor hopped out and shouted “Wazungu out!”  Everyone knew that we were the foreigners, so it made it easier forus to actually get out of the stuffed daladala.  Jack, Emily and I stood outside, paid the conductor, and suddenly realized that Eric was still struggling to get out past all the people.  The dala started to drive away and we had to shout and motion at the driver to stop so Eric could actually get out.  After some shoving, he finally got out, and we all enjoyed a laugh about what a ridiculous and entertaining ride we’d had.  I have to say, all other daladala rides have been a bit boring in comparison.