Isimila

2-4-2012

Another fine day.  We left for Iringa about 7:40 AM.  Unfortunately, the daladala we had intended to take to Mtua to catch the bigger bus had left at 7:30 AM.  We walked to Mtua to catch the bigger bus.  Unfortunately, that one left before we arrived too.  We got on a daladala to Iringa, along with a cast of thousands.

A daladala is generally a converted Toyota van with the top chopped off and replaced by a roof with a bit more headroom.  Of course the headroom was for beings as tall as Tanzanians, generally shorter than Wazungu.  With really narrow butts, too.  These vehicles are wide enough to seat three across, but they also put an aisle between the seats.  People cram into the SRO (standing room only) area.  There may be some rules about occupancy, since a few of the SROs ducked down as we passed some highway officers.

Our understanding of daladalas was that they sped along, careening past other vehicles, putting lives in jeopardy.  No.  Not at the speed they travel.  No.  It took forever and a half to get into town.  Don Fultz and Gary Langness  picked us up and took us to Isimila.  It is a great place to hike around.  They now charge 20,000 Tsh and still worth it.  They also have a museum with interesting artifacts.  The artifacts and geology are truly remarkable.  If you are interested in seeing a marvelous site, call Birdie.  A group from St. James is going at the end of July.

We went to Sai Villa for lunch.  Fun and good food was had by all!It is a classy place.

Then back to Block A Apartment C, where Don, Eunice, Carol, Gary, Trish, Roger, Steve Clarke, Carl, Jake, Laura, Laura, Meg, Will and Serena sang “Happy Birthday” to me yet again.  I cannot remember a birthday where I have heard my name sung in that song so many times.  Marvelous chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate chip cookies and great fruit salad!  I have terrific friends!  And always willing to party.

Don took us back to the bus station.  We were just in time to get on the larger bus.  Half got on, but it was full.  Those got off.  We all ended up taking the daladala back to Ilula.   The engine apparently overheated, so we stopped for twenty minutes waiting while they refilled the radiator.  But it was only a minor breakdown and off we went again.  I was pretty glad to see Ilula.  So was my derriere.

Anna prepared a nice soup for us.  We drank a bottle of wine and talked about our favorite desserts, Saturday Night Live and other things that had us laughing.  But at 9:10 PM, we are all bushed and off to bed!

Carl, Will, Laura M, Jake, Serena, Meg

Will, Serena, Laura B, Laura M, Ken