The streets in Freetown are crazy! There are pedestrians, vehicles, animals, carts, bicycles, etc. all sharing the road together. Most people walk in the road rather than the sidewalk, and if you traversed the sidewalk, you’d join them in the street – better to risk your life with the vehicles than chance falling in a giant sidewalk hole to the gutter below. Plus, it is extremely difficult to see when you’re driving at night – lack of electricity makes it dark, and the people are dark and hard to see as well. Taxis stop almost anywhere they choose to pick up or drop off a fare, seemingly oblivious to all other traffic. And you really don’t “need” all the room we are used to in America – just a couple inches between you and the next car is sufficient room to pass!
I think my blood pressure increased every time I entered a vehicle the first few weeks I was in Sierra Leone. I knew we were going to “bang” someone or something! Plus, I honestly thought the church van we often rode in during my first two weeks here was a death trap! To keep my blood pressure under control and my sanity intact, I had to get my mind on something else. So I indulged in a small personal amusement…
Many of the taxis and podapodas (Podapodas are a form of public transport – small vans with bench seats that are almost always crammed full of Africans!) in the country have sayings painted on the hood, rear, or bumper of the vehicle. I like to think of them as “Xtreme Bumper Stickers.” Instead of just chuckling to myself as I read them, I started recording my favorites in a notebook. (Focusing on the painted sayings rather than the chaos in the streets really helped me tremendously!) Most of these 180+ “Xtreme bumper stickers” were collected during my first 4-6 weeks in Sierra Leone. I’ve since become accustomed to the chaotic streets and even feel comfortable driving now!
My favorites are in bold print. Humorous misspellings are italicized. A few have explanations at the end of the list. Enjoy!
Arsenal *
Man United *
Manchester United *
Chelsea *
Liverpool *
Bercelona *
Real Madrid *
Back In Action
“Y” Worry
007
Syborg
T Man
Wolf Catcher
Wisdom
Dreams
Promise
Promotion
Confidence
Famous
Neatness
Goodness
Harmony
Peace and Love
Heroism
Justice
Miracle
Paradise
Always
Best Paddy **
Control It
Relax
Cry For Help
Perfect
British
In God We Trust
Mama’s Blessing
Blessed is the Man…
God Bless
God Bless #3 ***
God Bless Patricia
God Bless the Onwer
God Bless Aunty Z
God Bless Mi Mama
God Bless the Provider
God Bless Allah ****
God Bless Islam *****
God Bless Unity
More Blessing
My God is Good
God is Great
God is in Control
God is on Our Side
God is My Hope
God is My Provider
God Loves You Smile ******
God’s Time is the Best
God’s Gift
Lion of Judah
Christ the Solid Rock
Jehovah Jireh
Jehovah Jirret
Oh Lord My Father
The Lord is My Shepherd
Jesus is a Winner Man
Jesus is Alive Forever
Jesus is the Answer
Let Us Pray
Prayer
Prayer is the Key
Player is the Key
I Will Praise My Maker
Great is Thy Faithful
To God Be the Glory
To God Be Thy Glory
Thank You God
Thank You Jesus
Father We Thank You
In Everything Give Thanks
Sword of the Spirit
Psalm 27:4-5
Psalm 30
Psalm 100
Psalm 121
Luke 1:37
1 Cor. 15:88
Smile For Me
You & Me
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Welcome
God Go With You
Safe Journey
See You Again
Take Care of My Back
2 Unite
Be Honest
Be Justice
Be Patience
Be Yourself
It is Well
Conscious *******
Sober Man
Destiny
Destiny Fulfilled
Destiny & Fulfilled
Destiny Women
Labour and Expect
The Pride is Back
Brotherly Love
Brothers at Work
Another Level
Another West Life
Hard Life
Enemy Shame
Police Nation
Respect the Law
Respect
World Peace
Believe in God
BigBigGod.Com
Let God Arise
Arise and Shine
Divine Favour
Maranatha
Faith
Faith Healing
Have Faith in God
Work By Faith
Live on Hope
Only God
Only God Knows
Change You Attitude
Givers Never Lack
Every Problem Has an Expiring Date
Fear Jugdement Day
Fear Not the World
Fear Not the World But the People
Trust Not in Man
Man is Born to Make History
Light In Darkness
I Know I Will Make It
Things Will Be Sweet
Sweet Love
Love is Wicked
White Teeth Black Heart
They Must Talk of You
The Evil Men Do Lives Beyond Them
Nobody Knows Tomorrow
No Body No Tomorrow
No Money No Friend
No Money No Respect
No Joke
Mama Africa
Big Father
Busy Man
White Boy
My Only Son
Unique Family
Man Cat
Top Model
Doctor
Young Investor
Designer
The Master
Manager
Investor
Liberator
The Transporter
Defender
Lifeline
Super Larj
To Taste
This Time
Time To Pray
Time Will Tell
Timeing
One More Chance
More Effort
More Potent
Surprise Dem
What’s Up!
It’s On
I Like It
Make it Rain
Money Maker
*Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid: European soccer teams
**Best Paddy: “Paddy” is the Krio word for Friend.
***God Bless #3: Is this the #3 van in the God Bless “fleet” or is #3 someone specific?
****God Bless Allah: How powerful is Allah if God is above him and can bless him?
*****God Bless Islam: I’m not sure about a religion that needs God’s blessing.
******God Loves You Smile: Is this like “Smile! God loves you.” ? Or does God love YOUR smile?
I think my blood pressure increased every time I entered a vehicle the first few weeks I was in Sierra Leone. I knew we were going to “bang” someone or something! Plus, I honestly thought the church van we often rode in during my first two weeks here was a death trap! To keep my blood pressure under control and my sanity intact, I had to get my mind on something else. So I indulged in a small personal amusement…
Many of the taxis and podapodas (Podapodas are a form of public transport – small vans with bench seats that are almost always crammed full of Africans!) in the country have sayings painted on the hood, rear, or bumper of the vehicle. I like to think of them as “Xtreme Bumper Stickers.” Instead of just chuckling to myself as I read them, I started recording my favorites in a notebook. (Focusing on the painted sayings rather than the chaos in the streets really helped me tremendously!) Most of these 180+ “Xtreme bumper stickers” were collected during my first 4-6 weeks in Sierra Leone. I’ve since become accustomed to the chaotic streets and even feel comfortable driving now!
My favorites are in bold print. Humorous misspellings are italicized. A few have explanations at the end of the list. Enjoy!
Arsenal *
Man United *
Manchester United *
Chelsea *
Liverpool *
Bercelona *
Real Madrid *
Back In Action
“Y” Worry
007
Syborg
T Man
Wolf Catcher
Wisdom
Dreams
Promise
Promotion
Confidence
Famous
Neatness
Goodness
Harmony
Peace and Love
Heroism
Justice
Miracle
Paradise
Always
Best Paddy **
Control It
Relax
Cry For Help
Perfect
British
In God We Trust
Mama’s Blessing
Blessed is the Man…
God Bless
God Bless #3 ***
God Bless Patricia
God Bless the Onwer
God Bless Aunty Z
God Bless Mi Mama
God Bless the Provider
God Bless Allah ****
God Bless Islam *****
God Bless Unity
More Blessing
My God is Good
God is Great
God is in Control
God is on Our Side
God is My Hope
God is My Provider
God Loves You Smile ******
God’s Time is the Best
God’s Gift
Lion of Judah
Christ the Solid Rock
Jehovah Jireh
Jehovah Jirret
Oh Lord My Father
The Lord is My Shepherd
Jesus is a Winner Man
Jesus is Alive Forever
Jesus is the Answer
Let Us Pray
Prayer
Prayer is the Key
Player is the Key
I Will Praise My Maker
Great is Thy Faithful
To God Be the Glory
To God Be Thy Glory
Thank You God
Thank You Jesus
Father We Thank You
In Everything Give Thanks
Sword of the Spirit
Psalm 27:4-5
Psalm 30
Psalm 100
Psalm 121
Luke 1:37
1 Cor. 15:88
Smile For Me
You & Me
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Welcome
God Go With You
Safe Journey
See You Again
Take Care of My Back
2 Unite
Be Honest
Be Justice
Be Patience
Be Yourself
It is Well
Conscious *******
Sober Man
Destiny
Destiny Fulfilled
Destiny & Fulfilled
Destiny Women
Labour and Expect
The Pride is Back
Brotherly Love
Brothers at Work
Another Level
Another West Life
Hard Life
Enemy Shame
Police Nation
Respect the Law
Respect
World Peace
Believe in God
BigBigGod.Com
Let God Arise
Arise and Shine
Divine Favour
Maranatha
Faith
Faith Healing
Have Faith in God
Work By Faith
Live on Hope
Only God
Only God Knows
Change You Attitude
Givers Never Lack
Every Problem Has an Expiring Date
Fear Jugdement Day
Fear Not the World
Fear Not the World But the People
Trust Not in Man
Man is Born to Make History
Light In Darkness
I Know I Will Make It
Things Will Be Sweet
Sweet Love
Love is Wicked
White Teeth Black Heart
They Must Talk of You
The Evil Men Do Lives Beyond Them
Nobody Knows Tomorrow
No Body No Tomorrow
No Money No Friend
No Money No Respect
No Joke
Mama Africa
Big Father
Busy Man
White Boy
My Only Son
Unique Family
Man Cat
Top Model
Doctor
Young Investor
Designer
The Master
Manager
Investor
Liberator
The Transporter
Defender
Lifeline
Super Larj
To Taste
This Time
Time To Pray
Time Will Tell
Timeing
One More Chance
More Effort
More Potent
Surprise Dem
What’s Up!
It’s On
I Like It
Make it Rain
Money Maker
*Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid: European soccer teams
**Best Paddy: “Paddy” is the Krio word for Friend.
***God Bless #3: Is this the #3 van in the God Bless “fleet” or is #3 someone specific?
****God Bless Allah: How powerful is Allah if God is above him and can bless him?
*****God Bless Islam: I’m not sure about a religion that needs God’s blessing.
******God Loves You Smile: Is this like “Smile! God loves you.” ? Or does God love YOUR smile?
*******Conscious: Very helpful when driving!
