From another tipster chum, we learn that Nairobi's increasingly famous banana yellow Humvee is owned and operated by someone named Charles, said to be "one of the main IT people at the UN." Here's hoping that Charles will submit to an interview (all in the spirit of good fun, of course -- this isn't Darfur or anything).
PS: I was driving on James Gichuru Road the other day, climbing the hill as it approaches Wayaki Way, and what should I see hurtling in the opposite direction? You guessed it, the B.Y.H! I caught only the briefest of glimpses of the driver (was that you, Charles?), and considered turning around and following him. But there were two other passengers in our car, one of whom happened to be an eight-month-old baby who was angry about being 45 minutes late for a one-year birthday party. Next time, Charles! Next time!
PPS: In the spirit of full disclosure, I should note that we drive a 1989 Mitsubishi Pajero, which, to be honest, probably gets worse gas mileage than Charles' Humvee. At the moment, there is a problem with the injector pump and it spews a lot of black smoke. Working on it!
As a representitive of an NGO who travels off the beaten track (and let's face it, some of the beaten tracks aren't fantastic), I can see the arguement for using a 4x4. But an IT guy? In Nairobi? Driving the biggest bl00dy tank available?
Don't think so.
Posted by: Baba Mzungu | November 06, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Does your yellow hummer have red plates? If not, it belongs to 'Horseman', the well-known hotelier & hunter from Ongata Rongai...
In spite the comments of the well-heeled readers of your 'Reagan'piece,as somebody who has lived & worked in Ethiopia #& been to Jijiga!# I very much liked the piece,all the more authentic for it's bizarre yahoo adverts.....any more links to your writing?
Posted by: Will | November 12, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Nick, any updates on the monster truck?
Posted by: daniel | November 20, 2008 at 02:04 PM