Public Transport

Public transport really sucks in Mali.  It is hard to move around this country for many reasons.  

1. The schedules are unorganized:  You generally buy a ticket and wait for enough other people to buy tickets for a driver to decide that it is worth it to start up the bus.  I have waited 5 hours before.    
2. The vehicles are falling apart:  Due to breakdowns I have had to wait for repairs and switch buses.  I have also helped push vehicles in order to get them to start.
3. Its hot: Africa is even sweatier inside a crammed bus
4. Roads suck:  Paved roads aren't too common.  And those that do exist are narrow and poorly maintained.
5. Drivers don't drive well:  I would go as far as to call many of them reckless.  It can be scary.  
6. There is no room:  The more a driver/vehicle owner can cram into his bus the more profit he thinks he can make.  Its not just a matter of people but what they are bringing with them.  Goats, Sheep, chickens, animal skins, lumber, and food for market take up much more room then people themselves.  The other day I saw a live cow trying to be squeezed into the trunk of a small car.  I laughed for awhile

So far I've always made it to where I need to get (maybe not by the day I expected to be there by) but every Peace Corps volunteer here seems to have their fair share of public transport stories.  With each story I'm sure my dislike for Public transport has the potential to worsen, but a fondness for the craziness that is Mali will grow.