The main road to get to the Daily Guide is packed with a variety of cars commuting to work, which causes horrendous traffic and questionable driving maneuvers. There are readily available taxi and Uber services with often shorter travel times, but I prefer to take the tro tro to work whenever it is possible. The tro tros are the main option for public transportation in Accra, and the experiences that come with cramming into a van full of people are sometimes uncomfortable but always worth it.

My first couple of tro tro rides to work were not ideal. I wore a long sleeve button up and the tight space made it so I was able to sweat through my shirt after only 15 minutes of the 45 minutes to an hour-long drive. I wasn’t really sure of the name of the stop where I should get off for work, so it took some time to get used to. Over that first week, I quickly learned that in order to make it to work in dry clothes, I would have to buy a handkerchief, sit by an open window, and not wear my nice shirt during the drive. I’m happy to say that as time has passed, I have been able to learn from my mistakes and to the point where the ride is mostly enjoyable, and I make it to work looking and feeling somewhat presentable. Besides the occasional overwhelming heat and no personal space, I’ve gotten used to the ride to and from work and it has become a positive experience that I can look forward to.

I like it simply because of how different it is from any public transportation I have ever taken in the US. On the bus the only interactions I have are with the driver to show them my student ID and the occasional fellow passenger. I’ll find a seat and sit in silence and air conditioning for the quick, often traffic free ride to my destination. Other vehicles on the road rarely honk, and the bus even has its own lane at times. Each bus looks identical and tries to adhere to a strict schedule of arrival and departure times.

In Accra each tro tro is different. From color, size, and mobility to the relationship between the mate and the driver. Some tro tros have tinted windows, televisions and plastic wrapped seats while others have creaking doors and vibrantly colored plush seats. There are no arrival times and the route can vary depending on if the driver is trying to avoid traffic. The mates delay the tro tro as long as possible to gather up all potential passengers, which can be upsetting to others already onboard. Hoking, yelling and dangerous merging are all common place to maneuver through traffic. The occasional preacher or charity worker will board the tro tro to share their opinions, which sometimes will result in a donation or an “amen” from the passengers.

I know I’m looking forward to being able to drive somewhere without getting stuck in traffic, but I’ll miss the atmosphere of a tro tro ride. The yelling mates, the local music, the rumbling of the vehicles, the honking, the heat, the local language tv shows and the interactions between passengers.