Public Transport in Cameroon

     In the dry season, on a good day it takes about 4 1/2 hours from post to the regional capital.  In the rainy season, on a good day, it takes about 5-6 hours from post to regional capital and vice versa (if you take the 6am bus...otherwise, at 1p.m. you stop for 30 min so the Muslim men can pray, and again at 3:30 pm...)  The road is unpaved and in horrible condition; potholes everywhere.  Your body is shaking as if you're on one of those beds in motel you put a quater into to vibrate.  In the rainy season when there is mud, sometimes the "prison bus" will lean at a 30 degree angle to drive through it, and then it slides (like black ice in winter). Luckily, in my day, my ride as never toppled over.  Africans try to fit more on the bus disregarding any safety concern.  It's usually five to a row, and then young mothers carry their infants and maybe a two year old as well; people in back standing up and one time the helpers were on the roof.  In this joy ride you experience inevitable bad breath, emanating body odor, your nostrils inhale passed gas; I've become accustomed to their odor (a specific odor found in a majority..mostly men.).  Now, my observation is very narrow.  There are many other modes of transportation in other regions.  I'm just highlighting my monthly experience.

                                               Baggage is put on top of the car

                                          Where we get the term "Prison Bus".  The driver to the left.

                                             What passenger sitting looks like.

                      In Belel waiting to leave, bus spewing out exhaust... this would not go over well in states.