escudo

I figured when we came over here that we'd just, you know, go ahead and pick up a cheap car. No problem.

Turns out you don't want a car, you want something that can handle dirt roads (because most of them are). But gas costs a buck a liter so you don't want a big SUV. And hell, it doesn't matter anyway, because you can't afford anything (a new RAV4 costs >$40,000).

So, after two and a half months of taxis, we finally found our fabulous 1992 Suzuki Escudo. At $6,500 it was the best deal in Rwanda -- all our friends are jealous.

Sure, the steering wheel's on the wrong side, the turn-indicator doesn't stop itself, and the windshield's cracked. But the huge V6 engine spanks our boss' RAV4. (Yes, "spanking a RAV4" may be a pretty pathetic benchmark but it's the one we use).

So someday maybe we'll find a vendor who can sell us a gas cap. But such luxuries are for the rich. In the mean time, it's sure been great to have a car. I was getting darned tired of trying to direct taxicab drivers who spoke neither French nor English!