Chapas

From the back of the chapa :)

I thought I would write this, since some of you have been asking whether I got a scooter yet. They’re rather inexpensive, but mostly imported and rather cheaply made. My friend Jabulani helped me look into it, but unfortunately the best stores only have full-fledged motorcycles, no scooters. I have been deterred by reasoning 1) likely to break down quickly since even the one I tried at the store (unused) had a broken battery they had to replace before I could even test drive 2) car vs moto (moto loses!) 3) it’s the rainy (monsoon!) season here 4) I’ve become comfortable with local transport…

Welcome to chapas. They’re vans revamped to drive as many people as they can fit. The US Consulate website says its embassy workers are disallowed from using them because of accidents in Maputo. The joke is that you’re lucky if you walk out with clothes on because of high rates of pick pockets. (Good joke.) They have their various destinations/routes on the front windshield. Estoril-Macuti, for example is my route. One ride to wherever is a flat rate at 5 meticais (~20 cents.)

Today was my second ride (back from work). My first ride was aided by a patient’s mother (seen the week prior) who randomly rode from my house with me, and who told me when to get off. Today I began talking to another woman as we waited for the right chapa. Little did I know as she got off before me, that she paid for me additionally in advance. So much for losing my clothes on the chapa – instead I made a friend. Such a kindness is no small trifle when 5 meticais is how much a loaf of bread costs. Thanks Mozambique, for the kindness of strangers and for unexpected friends.