My First Car

I’ll tell you what, if you had bet me a million dollars, I would not think I would buy a car—my first car—in Swaziland. But upon arrival in Mbabane, I quickly came to realize that I would soon need to become a car owner. A scary thought, as well the largest tangible object purchase I’ve ever made. (I know some of my friends are already homeowners, but if you think the idea of committing to a car has me stressing, I can’t even imagine…)

After life in DC, New York, and Boston, I was hard-pressed to give up my public transport ways, until there was no public transport. Enter Swaziland. Although there is “public transport” in the form of kombis (aka the matatus of Uganda), white vans that heave up and down the hills of Mbabane, each uniquely named “Unique” or “Jesus is my homeboy,” there are not the boda-bodas, or mopeds, that sped me around Kampala day in and day our for months. But in terms of general mobility needs, driving to the laboratory and back during work, and getting home after dark, and having any kind of freedom on the weekends, a car is key. And the car market here is relatively steady—there is a constant stream of expats in and out the revolving door, so often one can buy a car and sell it not so many months or years later for about the same price, or so I’m told.

Thus began a long search for the perfect car. And much like the search for the perfect anything in this world, it does not exist. But there are plenty of acceptable options, or so they seem. All I wanted was a sub-par option that will still be in driving existence when I decide to leave and sell it. The options were to go to a dealer and take a chance, get the car checked and hope not to get a lemon, or wait for an expat to sell their car on their way out. The former had me panicked; the latter had me bumming rides for two months. Finally, a Baylor doctor and her husband settled on a job offer short notice, and emailed about two cars on sale. One was automatic—did I want it? Um, no, not really, still don’t. Did I need it? Yes.



I am now the (proud?) owner of a 2000 Honda CRV. Yep, Miss Sustainability bought an SUV, and an old gas guzzling one at that—there’s no hiding it. But that just means if you come visit you will have a nice, lofty ride through the game parks (any takers??). Next up: car valuations, insurance quotes, and mechanic appointments. Oh the joys of car ownership. But after two-months of bumming rides, I’m finally a legitimate Swazi driver. I owe a huge thank you to my co-workers who shuttled me around until now—let the payback or pay-it-forward begin.