August 28, 2011
Began our journey back home. We left Kigali and began driving to the border. Had to stop at the airport and ask for directions because the map we had wasn’t detailed enough. (Note: when traveling in Africa, do not rely on a Rwanda map as part of the Tanzania map. Buy the Rwanda map too. Don’t be cheap like we tried to be. It will save you some time and frustration). We were running a little late because of a missed turn, but not too bad. Oh, and I was on the phone trying to buy a dryer for our house in Alaska. Can our lives get any more complicated?
Arrived at the Rwandan border and meandered around the trucks. Somehow we ended up with our first flat tire. We managed to roll over something sharp that sliced a hole in the side of the tire. Well, a herd of Rwandans appeared to change our tire for us. Once they realized that we weren’t going to pay them to do something we were perfectly capable of doing, they began to help us. We ended up needing a second jack. Tire changed and we were on our way.
Crossed the Rwandan border and went to the Tanzania immigration office. Found out we didn’t need a security detail, per the Tanzanian police. That should be an interesting conversation with the RSO guys at the embassy. But, we headed off alone after being assured that the road we were traveling on was safe and we shouldn’t have any problems.
The policeman was correct. It was a very safe journey. Minus the baboons running into the road. There was at least 20 in this group. Thanks to our telephoto lens, I even got a shot of a baby baboon. Good times.
Decided to make it to the bigger town on our list of places to crash since there were more options available. Arrived in Singida just after dark. Drove around and couldn’t find the hotels we were looking for. Then, the power went out (this happens a lot in Tanzania). Now, we are the only two mzungus in the middle of a small town in Tanzania and the security briefing we had upon arrival was flashing through my head. Suddenly, I was not comfortable. I kept tyring to convince Liam to stop by the grocery store, grab some food, and let’s drive out of town and sleep in the car. He wouldn’t listen to me. (Probably for good reason).
Finally, he pulled into the parking area of the Stanley Motel and rented us a deluxe room for 25,000 Tz Shllings. This is what you get in Tanzania for $15 a night for two people in a SMALL town. There was no running water, but we had water to at least brush our teeth. I checked for bed bugs and was surprised by how clean the room actually was. Check. Slept in a true African hotel. And survived to tell about it. After freaking out and worrying about things, we were actually in a pretty clean, safe room. We didn’t get to shower, but we probably still smell better than most people around us.
Fell asleep to the quiet sounds of music blaring, people talking, and doors slamming. Irionically, I woke up after all the noise stopped. I think it was too quiet. Liam said about 4am he woke up to a foul stinch and he thought I had farted. Turned out to be the sewage backing up. Pretty common in Africa. But, my crazy husband was blaming me. Stinker.
1 comments:
I know for a fact the group surrounding us at the border as we changed the tire would never make it as a NASCAR pit crew. Although there were a few who were helpful. Once we trouble shot the jack issue, we were back on the road.
I don't know what Francis is complaining about, the room had a bed and a ceiling. Can't complain too much about that. And it even had a TV with an English channel. That was a score. I always find the high quality places.
And I am still convinced the foul smell was coming from you know who!!!!
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