I get around.

I couldn't bring my car with me to Ghana, so I'm making due with the transportation options available here.  In most of Ghana the two most common means of transport are taxis and tro tros.

Taxis here are pretty easily identifiable. Most have a "Taxi" sign on the front and something written on the back.  As the amount of English each Ghanaian knows can vary quite a lot, it's  common to see words or phrases on cars and advertisements that don't seem like they belong there. I've posted a few funny ones I've noticed, though my all-time favorite was when I saw a taxi with " obesity " written on it. I wish I had gotten a picture of it!

Mr. Whyte, y'all.

When the taxi is shaking...

While words on the backs of taxis are the norm, one accessory is noticeably absent.  Most taxis and tro tros don't have seat belts. If by chance a taxi does have them, most passengers still prefer not to wear them.

Not about seat belts.

If a car crash occurs, branches are used here to warn other drivers of the upcoming accident.

This is what a typical tro tro looks like. Every time I get in one I hope that Scooby Doo and the gang will join me so we can solve a mystery, but that has yet to happen! Back home this narrow van would probably hold eleven people - two people in the front and first three passenger rows and three in the back row. Here this van will hold an average of 17 people, more if you include children and babies who will be sitting in an adult's lap.  Chickens and goats may also be passengers!

 Here's a picture of the inside of a tro tro. I'd love to show you a picture of a full tro tro, but I haven't figured out how to take a picture of that without getting noticed.

While riding in tros can save you a lot of money, sometimes taking a tro tro means waiting a bit in order for your tro to be completely full. As you're waiting you may have men and women come to offer your food or other random items.  Or you may have a passing preacher, willing to save your soul.

The preacher tried to save this girl's soul because she had "the death spirit" inside of her. The girl was very sick with what was likely malaria. The poor girl was crying because she felt awful and I think the preacher just scared her more than anything.

While tro tros and taxis aren't always the most comfortable and I wish I didn't have to ride in them (especially tro tros) as much as I do, at least I can say I have some beautiful views to look at on the way to work!