Tag Archives: Transportation

2. DESCRIBE YOUR TOWN/CITY

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General:

How far is the next town or village from yours? How far is it to the nearest large commercial center?

Get to a main crossroads area of your neighborhood

Describe the type of buildings: height, size, type of roofing, building material, windows, decorative features.
Where are main buildings located? post office? government buildings? banks? schools?
Is there a central plaza or green area? Are there green areas throughout the town? If so, what plants or trees are there? How do people seem to use these areas?

What kind of transport seems to be available?

How do people get to your town? Location of train or bus stations, airport, car parking
How do people get around town? bus service, taxis, private car, walking, bicycles? Are there street signs? Other directional signs? In which language(s) are they written?

Note the location of major and minor roadways, of walkways, of possible shortcuts

When you return home:

Add any new information to your map

12. GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE

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You have already noted what types of transportation are available in your neighborhood. Now it is time to investigate further!

Local transportation

Within the area where you live, what is the primary type of transportation used by the local people (private cars, buses, trains, motor scooters, bicycles, rickshaws, ox-cart, trams, etc.)?

How accessible are the motorized types of transport? Do you need to go to special taxi stands or bus and tram terminals, or can a person flag one down?

Do these run on a schedule? If so, where are schedules available? How close to schedule do they run?

How much does a ride cost? Do you need to buy a ticket or can you pay after boarding? Do you need exact change?

Private vehicles

How generous are owners of their own vehicle in sharing rides? How much payment is expected? How easy is it to borrow a vehicle for a time? What is the borrower’s responsibility if there is any damage?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using private rather than public transport? How accessible are repair and maintenance garages?

Where are petrol stations located? Are there other options other than petrol for running a car? Where do these filling stations exist? What is the cost of petrol? of alternate fuel?

Long-distance travel

Do people travel long distances often? Are there some people in your neighborhood that have never traveled outside of their immediate area? Why do people make long trips? Where are long-distance transport stations? How far is this from your neighborhood? How do people get there? Where are tickets available? Can you buy one in advance? How far can one travel without having to make a transfer? Plot your travel options in order to go from your house to a specific location in your capital city. Investigate everything, from buying your ticket to taking a taxi to your destination.

13. HOW CAN I TRANSPORT THAT?

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Carrying

What objects are carried rather than transported in another way? How are they carried (baskets, plastic bags, in the arms or hands, slung in a cloth, in a suitcase, on the head)?

What are the cultural expectations as to the type of receptacle that a child, a man, a woman, an elderly person might use or not?

  • What kinds of “stuff” would local people expect people to be carrying?
  • What kinds of things are unusual for them to carry?
  • What would be expected of you as a foreigner?

Does the length of time items need to be carried determine the way they are carried?

Get the terms for the different methods of carrying (on the head, by the handle, with a carrying pole, under the arm, slung between two people, etc.).

Other transport

What other methods are used to transport items from one place to another? Are these specific to different geographical areas? different ethnic groups? gender-specific?

How much cooperation is involved in their use?

  • Are these privately owned and used?
  • Can they be borrowed if needed?
  • Are some available for public use?
  • Who owns them?
  • What is the fee charged for their use?

Learn the names of the various contrivances. Are these ones you can use? If so, find out how you can access them.

Are there certain times during the day when particular things are likely to be carried? Is there a peak time when demand is high for transporting of goods?

Listen for the greetings or questions used when people or drivers pass each other on the way or as they enter or leave the village or building. Observe expressions and body language as well.