후니의 이야기 공장-Hoony's Story Factory

 Namangan, city of Damas.

How should I start this story? The cities of uzbeks also have their own characteristics. Among them Namangan is special to me. Rare tourists come here and also Koreans are scarce. In 2006 about 10 Koreans stay there as long as I know. What you see in Tashkent, long line of waiting people, slow luggage transfer system, groups of people gathered outside of the airport, young money beggers(zipsy), quest seeking taxi drivers and so on.... But there in Namangan, you can meet other people... different from what you experience in Tashkent.

 You can see lots of Damas going and coming on the roads. They do everything with Damas, even taxi. It's a very convenient transportation to them. Actually Damas not made for carrying people. But here it's transformed in that way. 

 A few years ago, Damas usually were imported from Korea but recently they are new ones manufactured in Andijan, Uzbek.

 The above one is diagram of Damas. It's very simple. But you can guess that there is really less space between guests. In summer, it's really hard to endure the hot weather... inside of Damas. The following are positions preferred by guests.

 Guest1 and Guest 2

: The position of Guest1 has most spacious but more body parts are exposed to sun. Getting in and out is easy. Guest2 has a door just beside of it. Therefore it's easy to take on and off. And also there is window which he or she can open or close as they want. While on the seat, less disturbance.

 Guest3

 : The position has half size back cushion but almost no sunlight and less disturbance while other guests getting on and off.

 Guest4

 : Most easy to getting on and off. But when other guests get on, the guest have to take off. And there is no back cushion.

 Guest7

 : It's not easy to take on the seat. Need to bend over and not able to spread legs and narrow seat. 

 Guest5 and Guest 6 

 : Guest6 need to get through guest 7 to take off. When guest 7 takes off, guest 6 tries to move to seat 7. Guest5 needs to get through guest6 and 7. Therefore less people want to get on it. Only long distance traveler would prefer because of less disturbance. Guest7 should make some room for guest6 or 5 when they get on or off.

 Women or girls usually don't get on the back seat(guest 5, 6, 7). When she is old or pregnant, male guests on the seat 2, 3, 4 move to back seat. If you are beginners, you are going to bump your head several times before getting used to it.

 The fee... In 2005, it was about 200 and 300 so'm. But in 2008 it is about 500 so'm for long distance and 400 so'm for short distance. In case of a very short distance, it's 100 so'm. 

 The course is not fixed. If you ask the driver to stop at a special place, he or she would do it. In a special case like a guest asks a drive to go into different place, the driver drives there with permission from the guests. The driver may ask some premium fee for it. Or some damas even change their number sometimes.

 In 2008, there are so many Damas therefore the supply surpassed the demand. It's very competitive market then.

 Some rich guys buy many Damases and lend them to drivers. Some drivers own their Damas.

 For ordinary family, Damas is number 1 property. With Damas, they run a business to make a good living.

 Damas is a common transport way in cities except Tashkent in Uzbekistan.