Highways

The Cameroonian ‘highways’ are quite an interesting experience. Of course, many highways are covered in potholes. Between Kumbo and Bamenda they broke down four bridges last year. They are still trying to build them up again. Now that the rainy season is coming, we know that in a few months it will be almost impossible to go to Bamenda. I heard stories that the taxi takes you to the bridge, then people carry passengers and luggage through the water and a new taxi waits at the other side. How this will really work with four bridges in a row is not yet very clear to me, but maybe I will experience it soon!

Officially we are supposed to drive on the right side of the road. But in reality, we drive on the best side. That means the left, the middle and sometimes even next to the road. Sometimes the best part of the road is simply besides the road.

Another interesting thing is that it is totally acceptable to stop on the highway to talk to your friend who you see in the car coming from the other direction. Or to turn around on the highway if you miss an exit. I did that some time ago when I missed the exit in the dark. There was a taxi behind me who followed me and also missed the exit, and also turned around. Nothing strange!

Cows passing

Did you ever try to cross (as a pedestrian) a Dutch highway? No? Well, here it is very normal. There are zebra crossings on the highway. But of course nobody uses them and crosses anywhere. Even cows are passing the high ways. Some time ago I ended up pushing our car uphill as we needed to stop on the steepest point because of cows and the car couldn’t continue anymore.

Regarding this, it is not too surprising that you use your horn all the time. To pedestrians who may be crossing, to other cars who may change lanes because of the potholes, may just stop or turn around. I have to admit that this horning is less here than it was in Nigeria, where you horn also to people who are not there, but may be there at some point.

Soon I will be in the Netherlands and enjoy our Dutch roads. It is always a bit strange to keep my own side, to drive straight instead slaloming around potholes. And I tend to horn to every car that should give me priority, or every bicycle I want to take over.

Do you dare to enter my car in June?