Minutes after we left the smoggy streets of Bamako today, I knew I was in for a tumultuous trip. Squeezed in tightly in the back middle seat between two colleagues, I braced myself, literally, for the 8 hour journey back home. I dropped my head down to my knees; my stomach hadn’t felt this uneasy since I watched that Katie Couric interview with Palin online. Furthermore, my head was throbbing and my body shaking. Could it be Malaria?
I thought I could hold it until our lunch stop 3 hours away to stop, but within an hour from the time of departure, I urgently requested the car to pull over so I could hurl. 15 minutes later, I demanded the car stop again. An hour after that, I begged the drive to stop at a real latrine or toilet. The closest we could find to this description is pictured below. Can someone please explain to me how, just how in the world, the following could be labeled a latrine, when there is no hole!? I screamed out in fury when I saw it.
After several more rest stops, it was time for lunch. Just the thought of food was enough to make me hurl, so I naturally opted out of lunch.
“That’s ok,” my colleagues undestood, “In that case, instead of stopping to eat together, we’ll just pick up some food.”
I could barely listen to what they were saying, as the ringing in my ears grew louder. Still hunched over in my seat, I felt the car come to a halt and saw my colleagues descend from the truck. Within ten minutes they were back in the car and placed beside a kilo of meat guts, and we still had 5 more hours to our destination.
Needless to say, it was not a pleasant road trip. But I am safe and sound back at home, internet working, cat meowing, and 100% better.
13 responses to “Rest Stops in the Bush”![Subscribe to comments](https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/dark-wood/images/comments_rss.png)
Kate
October 2nd, 2008 at 21:48
Oh Kash – that sounds awful! I hope the kitty is helping you feel better. I wish I could bring you some soup!
OHmommy
October 2nd, 2008 at 22:05
Oh no…. I just talked to you on Skpe 2 minutes ago and you didn’t utter a word about this.
What a terrible drive home. Glad you are safe with your Fanta.
dziadek
October 3rd, 2008 at 00:00
Mam nadzieje ze wszystko dobrze coreczko??
robin
October 3rd, 2008 at 00:34
Eww eww ewww!
Could you claim you were Hindu?
How do you use a latrine with no hole?
haniaski
October 3rd, 2008 at 01:11
I am so glad that you feel better.
Miss you.
Katherine
October 3rd, 2008 at 01:50
gross- i just threw up a bit in my mouth just reading this– i bet you handled way better than i could…
better now i assume?
grace
October 3rd, 2008 at 03:47
Oh Kasia, I hope you are ok now at home .Please let me know i LOVE YOU.
shannon
October 3rd, 2008 at 07:37
YUCK I hope those smelled better than the intestine tacos my Mexican friends used to eat. The smell of tripes was enough to make me hurl even if I wasn’t already queasy. To be sick, locked in a moving car with that smell…..Ewwww! I am sorry. Hope you are feeling better now!
Alana
October 3rd, 2008 at 17:31
Hmm that ‘latrine’ reminds me of one I saw in Wales except that one has a bucket – glad your feeling better, you ever find out what was wrong??? Food poisoning? PS we got your postcard – thanks!
midtwentiesennui
October 3rd, 2008 at 18:09
Wow, having been sick on a number of road trips in Ghana (and other locales) I can totally sympathize. Nausea + unsuitable bathrooms + guts = too much.
I’m enjoying your blog a lot, and adding you to my blogroll!
planetnomad
October 3rd, 2008 at 20:42
Oh ick. That brought back unpleasant memories. Hope you’re completely better now.
Crystal D
October 3rd, 2008 at 23:43
Oh I will never again complain about having to use a McDonald’s bathroom while I am on the road.
Glad you are feeling better!
Katie
April 16th, 2009 at 05:57
I just happened upon your website. The picture of the latrine is hilarious. After my first trip to Ghana, that was by far the most confusing thing I came across. I still can’t figure it out?!