Rules of the Road: Volume Two

Some ominous clouds and a rainy windshield in ACI 2000 this morning

As a tip of my hat to the current rainy season, and today’s conditions specifically, the second volume of the Rules of the Road series will be entitled:  

Rainy Days Don’t Get Me Down.

I have already written about some of the beautiful things that rainy season brings.  Cooler air, soothing sounds, interesting sights- all of these are the positive staples of “l’hivernage” here in Bamako.  However, rain does present some unique concerns and interesting scenarios when it comes to driving in the city.  However, I find that the rain brings more positive qualities than negative ones when it comes to getting around in my car (or at least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself).  

A few positives about driving in the rain:

1.   (Almost) No Motos!!!  This may be one of the best benefits of downpours and sprinkles in Mali.  Roads that are usually jammed with moto bikes that make me nervous at best (and road-ragey at worst) become shockingly calm.  The first time I drove in a big rain here, I couldn’t figure out why things seemed less stressful even though I could barely see a foot in front of me.  I attribute this to the lack of motos on the roadways.  A bonus is that if you drive past a gas station with a bit awning or under an overpass, you get to see herds of moto drivers hanging out and waiting for the rain to pass.  A secondary bonus is that you also see a few brave souls driving through the pelting rain- sometimes in full rough weather gear (think bright yellow hooded rainslicker with matching pants) and other times wearing plastic baggies tied around the head to protect a precious weave or braids.

Traversing the new bridge this morning.  Light traffic!  Better... NO motos!!

2.  Drivers are often a little more prudent on the roads during times of monsoon.  During a couple of excursions I made during downpours, people were inching along the roadways and being a little less hasty with their turns and risky intersection crossings.  Of course, you’ll always run across a couple of jerks who think that the rain doesn’t apply to them, especially if they’re in their big SUVs or giant trucks.  But for some reason, I feel less angry and more sorry for these drivers in rainy conditions. 

3.  Which brings me to another big positive—my attitude and patience level in the rain.  I just feel less pressed to get anywhere when it’s raining.  In fact, there are times when I have (very acceptably) cancelled meetings or plans because of the rain and a real hesitancy to drive in it on a particular afternoon.  I guess it’s harder for me to get caught up in roadway competition (real or imagined) when there are such adverse driving conditions to focus on.

4.  Another great thing in the rain, though not really about it… my new tires and windshield wipers!!  At the beginning of rainy season I was terrified to go even a short distance if it was raining because my tires were basically bald and my windshield wipers only made comtact with a sixteenth of my windshield.  Now, with brand new tires and wipers, I am no longer afraid of hydroplaning at the slightest touch of the brake or of hitting something because the windshield is too wet and blurry.

My sweet new wheels!   No more hydroplaning.

 5.  You get to see funny things when you’re driving in the rain (if you have time to pay attention because your windshield wipers work properly).  From the aforementioned plastic bag hairnets and full rain gear to fancy canvas window covers for the sotramas (I was shocked at how nice these covers are because the big green vans themselves are often in miserable shape!), and makeshift umbrellas, there are things to be amused by when on the road in the rain.

6.  A rainshower is a free car  wash… and my car is always in need of one of those!

Of course there are some downsides to rainy day driving…. Hidden potholes, puddles that could be shallow or could be oceans- you never know, crazy drivers who don’t seem to notice the rain, getting to/from and in/out of the car, the mud, the mud, the mud…   But, I think I’m getting used to taking most of these things in stride.  I didn’t let the rain foil my plans to run errands this morning… after all, it’s really much easier in a car than it is on foot, by bike, or even via public transportation.  So Rule of the Road Number 2 might be restated:  Rain can be a blessing, especially when you have your own car!