Africa Moment #2 - The Motorcycle

Chekaraou Family
The Motorcycle - (Entry restored post server crash)
Keagan has been waiting for this ride since before we left the USA!So, Djibril and I decided to buy a motorcycle; against my better judgement because of the accident thing and traffic. We got one that is sort of a hybrid between a scooter and a motorcycle. Anyway, once we chose it we had to go and buy an insurance policy before the dealership could release it to us. So, we go visit one company and after much discussion, we discover than motorcycle insurance does not cover any damage to a motorcycle....uuhhhh...and the point is...? Yes, that is right! You buy insurance to cover what is called your 'civil responsibility'. Meaning, if you hurt or kill someone, then the insurance covers their medical expenses. If you destroy their motorcycle, well, 'bummer for them'. If they hit me, and they don't have insurance, well, then 'bummer for me." Essentially, when you buy vehicle insurance, you are buying someone a medical insurance policy; it has nothing to do with the property whatsoever. When we tried to explain to the agents that they were therefore selling a medical policy they seemed somewhat confused, but after much discussion, the lights went on and they both said, "ohh, oui, oui, je comprends, mais c'est comme ca!" ("Oh yea, I understand, but it's just like that!")

So, we went to visit another company to see if they were actually selling medical insurance as well. When we tried to pull up, all of the parking spaces were blocked off. The guard came running out to tell us that we could not park in any of the spaces because they were for the managers. So we asked where the clients park. The guard looked up and down the street and finally said, "Well, we don't really have any parking for clients yet." So we asked if there were employees in the building. He said, "Yes." I said, "How many?" He said, "Three". I aksed how many clients were in there. He said, "None." So then I reasoned with him that it might be nice to open up one of the three available parking spaces so that the three employees inside might be able to do some work and sell an insurance policy...He had to go ask, but finally came back and took down the barrier so we could park. The other two spaces remained empty and no managers showed up. Apparently, none of the three employees who had reported to work have a car!

So this is the machine. We've decided not to call it a scooter unless Keagan brings it up so as not to dash his images of manhood or dilute his testosterone levels!

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