Hee Haw Taxi

During my time in Ethiopia I've come to grow exceedingly fond of
donkeys. Yes, I am unashamed to say this. Apparently you can buy one for
3,000 Birr, which is only about $300. If I didn't have to buy an extra
seat on the airplane for it, I might even consider bringing a donkey
back to Japan. But seriously, it is a fine animal if I ever saw one.
First of all, they work harder than any other work animal in Ethiopia.
Horses draw carts and cows may pull plows, but the donkey is the one
that gets huge bundles tied to its back and marched down the side of the
road like a foot soldier.
An investment in ten donkeys will net an Ethiopian entrepreneur about
200 Birr per day, which isn't bad for wages here. Donkeys are used to
transport all sorts of goods from farm to market, store to store, and to
people's homes. A person can buy in bulk at the market and hire a couple
donkeys to bring it all home for you. In the countryside, a farmer will
have his own donkeys and use these to take his harvested produce to
market, sometimes traveling up to 30km to do so. Looking into a donkey's
sad face, it's hard not to feel some pity for them; the white circles
around their dark eyes make them look crestfallen and woeful. But then
you see them trotting along looking purposeful, with dedication in every
step, and instead they inspire a sense of admiration.