Getting a car fixed here in Rwanda is probably one of the most nightmarish things to do.
We have been so blessed with our current vehicle. We have had it since 2007 and we have barely done any work on it until the last year or so. It is a 1997 Land Crusier Prado... 20 years old and running on mostly original parts so... they're getting old and need to be replaced.
The joke in Rwanda is that you go in the garage to get one thing fixed and come out with five new things that need fixing.
Yes there is a Toyota Garage here ... but for most of us (about 75% of Rwanda drives a Toyota!) it is way out of our league.
So Serge's headache today... getting a master cylinder fixed.
We got the brakes fixed earlier in the week ... and they work! ... but there is still a noise.
So, the Canadian guy who we have been going to, was not available but recommended a S.African guy who is pretty new here. Serge liked him well enough and believes what he's being told BUT now it's to get parts...
Serge always likes to go and buy the parts so he knows he's getting an original part.
And like everything... he has a guy.
So the garage says they can send for the part outside but it will cost 180,000 rwf ($212 USD)
We need to take a three hour drive tomorrow, so no time for that.
Serge calls his guy - 250,000 ($295 USD) for the original or 40,000 rwf ($47 USD) for the fake!!
Serge calls another guy he knows... 220,000 ($260 USD) but maybe negotiate if you come and chat
Cue the headache.
Does he really need to go back to town and sort this?
Is 'his guy', who claims he is a Christian buying from the second guy and pocketing money?
Sometimes I tell Serge he over thinks... but I get it.
He doesn't like spending money on the car .. and yet it's necessary
Why can't people just be trust worthy?
Cause is the 'original' actually an 'original'?
Only God knows ...
