Ute Seela
CULTURE ON WHEELS
What do Jupiter, Smash, Shogun and Beat have in common? They are all popular types of motorcycles used in Jakarta. In rows of 4 they squeeze through the traffic only to be stopped (and in that sense beaten by the Toyota’s and Kia’s with a roof) when the next big-drop rain shower hits the road. I feel intrigued by the thought of who they are.
Would it be anything similar to the small men’s taxi for which they have a specific name and respective mentality in Uganda – the boda boda? I wonder… As far as I can see, they seem to be used by one person only…
Neither does this look like the vespa culture of the modern urbanites – which amazed me last year in Yogya. Here the ‘Smashes’ and ‘Shoguns’ seem to be used by poorly clothed men – or is it the dust and rain that makes them appear like the working class type? In any case they seem to appreciate life: hardly anyone dares to hit the road without a helmet.
MYHIVOS LOGIN
