Say What? Coughed up a Hair Ball?

A couple of interesting anecdotes on our recent trip ...

After a busy time in the far north of Senegal, we prepared to make our journey home, a long drive back to Dakar.   This would take several hours, so we set off fairly early to get a jump with a required stop at a nearby town.

Only we didn't get very far in the beginning.  In fact, we didn't get anywhere, as the truck wouldn't start.  We have a vehicle there in Senegal that is owned by our Andando Foundation, a rugged four wheel drive Mistubishi crew cab similar to a Hylux.   It has been a model of reliability, but not in this instance.

 

There were no jumper cables, of course, so we had to push start the rig, with mixed results.  We finally got it started with the help of Boubou, our Andando colleague who was with traveling with us, and a couple of bystanders. 

But after that episode, it was running rough, spewing out smoke and rumbling and shaking and not inspiring confidence.   We didn't have a lot of choice, so we set off on the long trip across miles and miles of African outback.  Not the best scenario.

We made it to our first stop and decided on the way that we would not turn off the vehicle because it very likely may not start again, and depending on where we might be, we might not be able to push start it.

One unfortunate fact of life on Senegalese roads is that they don't have traffic signals or any kind of traffic control methods other than speed bumps.  Tons of 'em, all up and down the road.  Even in the middle of nowhere.  I must admit, it does keep vehicles from going too fast, but otherwise, speed bumps are a pain in the rear (literally).  These speed bumps have earned the name "sleeping policemen" in Senegal for good reason. 

So as we slowed down and rolled over these numerous speed bumps the vehicle would threaten to stall out each time.  It was tricky as the truck was still running very rough.  

Lo and behold, as we entered one small village - it happened - the rig stalled and shut off while going over a speed bump.   There was a momentary feeling of panic, but there was still enough forward momentum to pop the clutch, and the rig jerked and lurched and bounced and came back to life.   Whew!

And a funny thing happened, it started running fine again!  Within five minutes we realized ... all of a sudden it was running in top form!  What?  Oh well ... we weren't going to complain.  

As we sped along, we gained confidence that all was well with the engine after all.  It's funny, when you have hours to spend driving you find things to talk about and we wondered what exactly was going on with the engine of the truck.

I came to the conclusion that the truck had "coughed up a hair ball" and was now feeling better.   Boubou pondered that statement for a minute and said "Hunh?"

I will presume that most English speaking people will understand what that means.  It's a figure of speech.  Imagine having to explain this to someone from a different culture, one where cats are not very common. 

"So cats lick themselves a lot ... a hair ball can form in their stomach ... eventually they cough it up ... they feel better."  

Boubou looks at me sideways "yeah, right ..."   He was slightly appalled.   I don't expect him to use that phrase in a sentence any time soon.  

A Truly American Hamburger experience in San Louis Senegal 

We continue on our way and it's soon afternoon, and we are getting a little hungry, with a long way to go.  There is a city coming up soon with some possible options for food.  The only concern is that we still don't want to shut the rig down for fear it may not start again.  

Boubou remembers that there is a hamburger shop in San Louis where we could get a take out.  Bear in mind that this is a rare concept in Senegal.  You normally take about two hours to have a meal, and they cook everything fresh and they take their time ...!

So even at the potential burger stop, we would have to wait for up to thirty minutes while they cook some hamburgers.  Hey, this is a different culture, no "fast food" here!  Actually, they think half an hour is fast ...

So we hatch an idea - let's call them on Boubou's cell phone and order ahead!  Genius!  This could work!  Then we pull in, keep the rig running, the burgers will be ready and we carry on!  Dude!

The amusing conversation runs something like this:

Boubou:  "Hello, is this King Burger?"

Other: "No"

BB: "I thought I called King Burger?"

Other: "No, this is not King Burger"

BB: "Hmmm, isn't this such-and-such phone number?"

Other: "Yes"

BB: "But it's not King Burger?"

Other: "No"  (not offering much help here!)

BB: "Then, ... who is this?"

Other:  "This is Nice Burger"

BB: "Nice Burger?  What happened to King Burger?"

Other:  "There is no King Burger, only Nice Burger"

BB: "Wait, what?  Really? ... hey, anyway, can we order three super premium bonus loaded jumbo cheese burgers with everything ... oh and some fries?  We'll be there in twenty minutes"

Other: "Okay"

 

So we roll up to the burger shop and leave the rig running and get our burgers "take out" and eat them in the car - dripping cheese and ketchup all over ourselves, but generally enjoying the experience.   Almost like being at home.   But this is a very unusual thing to do in Senegal.  I'm amazed we pulled it off. 

We made it to Dakar that evening in one piece and concluded our trip the next day.  Just in time to have another previously mentioned bizarre airplane trip home.