Willy's Express

Willy's Express. The only shuttle service available for us for the 100 K htrek from Pietermaritzburg (a tounge twister of a town) to our destination; Sani lodge at the base of the Drakensberg mountains.

Having experienced minibus taxis and crowded buses we knew that we were prepared for whatever "willy's express" might entail. We were especially suspicious given the fact that our hospitality guide in Pietermaritzburg is 13 years old. I'm not joking, she was 13. And very smart for ehr age. But it was wierd doing business with a 13 year old. But to her credit she was very professional. Strange huh?

Willy arrives. He looks like RObin Williams on speed. He's got a heavy accent and tiny white shorts on. He's that simple type of fella that always has a (drunken) smile on his face. I know right away that this will be a bumpy ride.

He shows us the shuttle. A 1984 toyota corola that hasn't been serviced for a decade. His wife and grandson are in the front seat. You see, it turns out, Willy's express is just Willy's corola. And Willy lives near Sani lodge and occassionally drives into Pietermaritzburg. But this is Africa, so Willy's express is a tenured shuttle service.

But Willy's express is not a straight shot to Sani. We realize that when we stop at an office supply store, 45 seconds into the trip. "I've just got to pick up a few things in town." Nathan and I realize that we will be running errands for the next 3 hours. 1) Office store 2) Tile Shop 3) Gas 4) Groceries 5) Bathroom 6) Daughter's house 7) Sani Lodge

The car has a terrible gas leak and the exhaust blows straight into my face in the backseat. I can hardly breathe. I'm choking on gas and start to think to myself, a small spark could light this car on fire.

Then Willy asks, "Mind if I smoke?" It is a rhetorical question, the cigarette is already lit.

But Willy is a good guy. We chat for the entire 3 hours and learn a bit about life in his home town of Underberg. How affirmative action has cost him his job as the post master. How the paved roads are goign to ruin this town. He asks, "why is England wealthier than Africa? Africa has all kinds of open land right?" I'm not sure I follow. "I mean, where does all of their money go, anyway?" I have no idea what he is talking about.

We arrive after sunset. Pay Willie 200 Rand, (about 30 US dollars). And tip our hat to the finest shuttle service in Pietermaritzburg; Willy's Express.