Identified at last

Well, folks, the saga comes to an end. Thanks to a network of tipsters and friends, I have learned the identity of the owner of the aforementioned Banana Yellow Hummer. Your mystery driver is Charles Emer, chief of the Information & Communications Technology Service at the U.N. office in Nairobi.

I spoke to Charles today by phone. I told him I was a "journalist and blogger" and wanted to chat about his BYH. He agreed, which you gotta respect. On the other hand, he declined my request for a ride in his Hummer. Charles' response: "Would you give a stranger a ride in your car? Come on, man." "But Charles, your car is a Hummer." "Come on, man."

Charles, who is an Australian citizen, tells me he bought his BYH in the U.S. and brought it over when he got his job in Kenya. I asked if it ever got stuck.

"Come on, man," said he. "It can climb anything. It's the ultimate truck." I asked if he was worried about carjackings. "Where are they going to take it? You can't take that car anywhere in the world without people knowing."

According to my new friend Charles, only 11,000 H1s were made and they are no longer available to civilians. They cost around $120,000 in the US. He bought his in 2003.

"It's a nice vehicle. Even in America, when I drive it in New York, it attracts a lot of attention, it's a very big truck. It's very attractive, unique and different."

Then, the kind of question we journalists (bloggers) are (are not) paid to ask: Did he see anything a little funny about driving a BYH with U.N. plates when the U.N. says it kind of wants to save the world and all that stuff?

"I don't see the relevance. I pay for gasoline out of my own pocket. When I get paid, no one tells me how to spend my money. I'm a civilian."

Can't really argue with Charles. And, it must be said, he was an awfully good sport for taking the call.

Anyhow, case closed. On to more important matters. Don't forget to tip your waitress on the way out.

A curious side note: On Saturday, I met a (non-U.N.) guy at his office for an interview. As we wrapped up, he asked if I wanted to grab lunch. I agreed, and he offered to drive. Cool with me. Down to the underground lot we went, he pressed the remote on his keys, and guess which car's lights went blinkety-blink? A SILVER HUMMER H3! I was gobsmacked.

It was my first time in an H3, and I have to say the ride was uncommonly smooth and quiet. The car (sorry, TRUCK) felt snug and pleasant on the inside, while drivers on the outside were obviously steering clear of this monster. The leather interior was pleasant as these things go, and the display had been designed with care. This is a luxury vehicle, no question.

Koooooky.

Comments

[bankelele]

I salute Charles for his candor and I have to agree with the that he can drive whatever car he wants - and if the UN says ok, no matter how bad it is for their image, so be it

[Rafiki]

Congrats on tracing him Nick! And great that Charles and Nick are actually taking this in a friendly way, I wish our politicians could learn something from this.
Case closed. Mission achieved. Great journalism!

[eleet]

i shall aspire to get my behind into one, stolen or not it shall not be a bother. shame you did not get a ride in the real thing. would have worked wonders for a proper comparison. original and the cheap [well, sort of] knock off.

[peperuka]

Hi knew it was him from your last post (little closer).
Charles "I don't see the relevance. I pay for gasoline out of my own pocket." - Duty free petrol !!
Nice article Nick and happy to hear that Charles accepted the play the mouse and cat game.

Peperuka

[juliana]

excellent! you have to hook up me up, i want a ride now?!! dude sounds positively charming :-) (off to update that post) fun stuff.

[juliana]

let me clarify my comment, the hook up I want is with the silver hummer - jokes jokes :-)

[Paul]

hi

dont quite get what the hullabaloo about driving a humvee in Kenya is. Might as well drive ona and plant a tree every month. Its a car and a matter of personal preference