Porsche Carrera Turbo Thingy

It's no secret that I'm a Porsche-phile but I was most pleased to see a lovely middle-aged woman with her recent purchase of an 2000 Porsche Carrera model. I was sitting in a CVS parking lot and immediately noticed this lovely dark blue little baby (the car not the woman). This model is one of my all-time favorites and I find the lines, curves and facia pure Porsche brilliance.

How i spend my time at amsterdam airport

How i spend my time at amsterdam airport; not exactly car related but in the transport genre

African Truckers

When I was but a wee lad, I used to scare the hell out of my mom by remarking constantly on my desire to be a truck driver (in the USA). I was obsessed with big rigs and wanted to live the life of BJ from the TV series 'BJ and the Bear' (look it up). My mom was sure the phase would pass but my desire for this profession lingered for quite awhile until I was eventually distracted by other metiers.

She did not necessarily mind the fact that I wanted to be a truck driver it's just that, like many parents, she knew my talents were best served elsewhere. I eventually landed in international relations which is a natural fit for me. However, my truck driver-envy continues. I realize that in the states, the profession can be grueling and with today's high fuel prices, many independent truckers have gone out of business.

Life on the road is tough and I've met several ex-truckers who are happy to have moved on to other careers. Truckers in Europe have it worst with all of those limiters on the engine, border crossings, itty bitty tiny roads and language barriers. Truckers in Africa are, quite simply, a different breed.

In the Great Lakes region where I currently live, a trucker entering from Uganda into Burundi has to put up with massively corrupt police, road bandits and a general lack of any decent maintenance facility. The country does have, ironically, a 'truck station' in the capitol city where truckers can safely park their rigs for the night and have access to clean facilities.

The guy in this photo is from Uganda and he enthusiastically showed me his Mercedes rig. He was dropping a large load at a local warehouse near to where I work and told me of his trip in Bujumbura. He said, for the most part, things are much better now post-crisis but the biggest hassle is the police who will demand a large bribe if so much as a blinker light is out. Still, he said he enjoys life on the road and the independence it brings.

I envy him. His truck looks gorgeous and driving through Africa can, during the good times, be a magical experience. During the bad times, it's about as awful as you can imagine. Truckers have their own share of um, issues as well. You can plot higher HIV/AIDS rates along major trucking routes and being on the road constantly, it is only a matter of time before you have an accident with some out of control mini-bus. Regardless, I wouldn't mind giving it a go. If I were to try it, I think the USA is the obvious starting point. I'll take a massive Peterbuilt super-cab please.

Want an extreme dose of trucking? Watch 'Ice Truckers' on the Discovery Channel, that's my new favorite show next to American Choppers.

photo: east bound and down, loaded up and in Africa?

Toyota Corollas are Dead Dull

One of the first things I noticed about Central and Southern Africa was the prominence of the Toyota Corolla. They are everywhere and I mean everywhere in every state of repair. They often act as a taxi and have even replaced the once charming presence of London cabs in Nairobi. Instead of exiting the airport to surreal scenes of thorn trees and cabbies, you are now greeted with tastelessly modified...you guessed it, Corollas.

Granted, it's a reliable car and the new models are quite sharp. You can even pretend you are driving a sports car if you go for the body kit offered in most countries but in reality, you are driving an econo-box. So my office car here is, naturally, a Corolla.

I'm not complaining though as the ole phrase, 'beggars can't be choosers' reminds me of how lucky I am to have a car at all here (Burundi). Still, the Corolla I drive has perhaps the most lackluster engine I have ever experienced. It's the extreme base model which means plastic wheel covers, no frills interior and itty bitty engine under 100bhp.

Perhaps its redeeming factor is the fact that it's an estate (station wagon) model which we don't have in the States. It's not a bad looking machine at all and remains perfect for zipping around the tiny city of Bujumbura. The suspension is suffering from one too many pot-hole hits and it corners with all the grace of an ox cart but again, I'm grateful to have any wheels at all here and it saves me from having to search from something myself which, in these parts, can be quite a challenge.

If I COULD choose something, it would be the new Toyota Land Cruiser Wagon which is really cool looking in a Safari kind of way. But for now, I'll just be happy with my little wagon, even if the steering wheel is parked in my crotch.

Gotta Love Tricked Out Toyotas in Africa

I've always loved the Toyota Hilux (Tacoma) even though I don't really fit well in it. The steering wheel always jams into my knees nevertheless, it's a cool little truck. It was the first car my wife ever drove when she was still living in Zambia and she lent it to me now and then before the darn thing was eventually stolen at gunpoint (no one was hurt).

So I was pleased to see this lovely little gem the other day parked outside the central bank. Notice the tastefully added brush bars. Tasteful mods are rare in this part of the world. However, Bujumbura is starting to surprise me with it's variety. I've already seen a couple of BMW X5s, An Infiniti and two Subaru Foresters...wonder where they get spare parts!

Formula 1 in Singapore - Nothing Better

In case you might have happened upon my other blog, you may have noticed that I have a near obsession with the city-state of Singapore. If you follow carma, then you know I am also a die hard fan of F1. So imagine combining the two in one go. It's enough to send me into spasmodic fits of ectstasy and thank God almighty that I have just installed a satellite in my new Bujumbura home so that I can actually watch the race live.

The Singapore circuit is unrelenting and, of course, now infamous for Piquet's faux-crash allowing Alonso to place higher. Regardless, the course is a work of art but with little room for passing. Therefore, qualifying is key and after yesterday's practice session, I'm a little worried about my man Hamilton (yes and Button too) but you never know.

So what's the best part? The Singapore Grand Prix is at night. So post-race, you can hit the town for some Singaporean revelry or go for the most exotic, luxurious (and expensive) Asian meal your mind can envision. I can barely contain myself!

photo: me lounging along Clark Quay in Singapore, not too far from where the race will be

Can you Name This Car?

I wish I could offer a prize to the person who can identify this car (pictured left) but perhaps online recognition will suffice. I think it's a Daihatsu something but not sure. It's kind of a cute design but not sure if it is a newer model made in a developing country or a much older model, refurbished for African roads...quite a mystery indeed.

If you know this car, e-mail me at the address found at the bottom of this site. Ta!