More from the Matatu

I love riding in the matatu. Actually I just love riding in cars in general but the matatu is an extra fun experience for people watching and hitting your head on the ceiling as you fly over potholes that could swallow a small dinosaur. On our way into Nairobi this morning the money man had an extra special flair for wrapping the bills around his meaty fingers and a tendency to hang out the window from his waist nearly being decapitated on multiple occassions. He's great.
Women arent a frequent sight on the matatu. More and more are starting to use them, but they generally travel in pairs. There is a reason for this it turns out. There is a Masai belief that one woman cannot be alone with men, or they with her. In situations where this would occur the men will go and get the largest rock they can find and place it next to the woman so she will not be alone. Eh? Its unclear whether this is so she could protect herself (which is a moot point since the rock used will usually be so large she has no hope of lifting it) or possibly just because the rock can act as a woman in a pinch? We're not too sure and the explainations we've gotten for this are vague at best.
Spitting on the matatu is apparently an acceptable behavior. This morning two lads who were more than likely up to no good sat down next to me. They started snacking on some blackish mealy substance and then started spitting like they were dipping. I wanted to smack them since spitting is kind of rude, adn spitting dip at someone's feet is positvely abhorrent (this isnt the old west adn i dont think anyone is about to challenge anyone else to a duel) but i was informed that this is the norm and i best keep my mouth shut.