A bicycle built for...

Bicycle loaded down with bananas

...so many things!

Driving in Kenya takes a little getting used to.  Not only does one have to adjust to driving on the left side of the road, but there numerous other things to watch out for:  deep potholes, numerous speed bumps,  crazy bodaboda drivers (motorbike taxis), numerous pedestrians, aggressive matatus (minibuses), carts hauling many things, bicycles, cows (which are everywhere!), donkeys, goats, sheep, dogs, chickens, and the occasional monkey. Driving here is not for the faint of heart.

Female passengers tend to ride side-saddle.

Everyone needs to fit on the road...

Thankfully, I'm familiar with most of these from driving in West Africa, with the exception of three things:  driving on the left, many many more animals, and bicycles. 

While I drove to Butere last weekend, I decided to take a few shots while I drove to share with you - please note that these are not the best shots, because as I mentioned above, driving is a full time concentration job here...so the shots were taken quickly through the windshield.  By the way, I have yet to see a female riding a bike or a motorcycle.  They ride as passengers...but not as drivers.  Gender equity on two wheels is needed!

Farm produce going to the market...

Napier grass for the cows...

...and more grass for the cows...

Bicycle taxis looking for passengers

Carrying lumber, bamboo, roof sheeting, even furniture is a common sight.

 A few weeks ago, while driving to Mt. Elgon, we passed through a large group of youth on their way to some event.  About a kilometer later, we heard banging on the roof, checked the rear view mirror and saw that a young man jumped off the vehicle.  The youth were so loud that we didn't hear this guy jump on our vehicle!  This picture is three young boys who decided to hitch a ride on the truck ahead of me. 

Another common sight is young boys watching their cows.  As most of the cows here graze all day long, the boys are assigned the task of following (or leading) them.  They seem to meet up together and have fun hanging out together on the side of the road as the cows graze. 

On my way to church Sunday morning...

To a very rural church on a dirt road...

...which reminds me of another challenge..about two inches of rain fell in one hour during church...we were literally a captive audience as no-one was leaving in that...then drove through the mud...or maybe slid through the mud is a better term...not unlike driving in snow!

 All in all, no danger of falling asleep at the wheel...and very thankful for traveling mercies every day!