Trip to Dar (again!) and feeling ill...
on Kev in Tanzania (Tanzania), 03/Jul/2009 04:51, 34 days ago
It has been a while and it has been quiet at work, especially now the Open University people have left. Seems like it is just Allan, Mr Mgullo and myself on campus…Weekend of the 20-21st I went to Dar. The trip was fine, I was sat next to a fridge repairman and he spoke good English so we chatted lots - well he talked to me whilst I tried to sleep! Kept tapping my leg to wake me! He got off at Morogoro I was fully awake by then but the rest of the journey passed swiftly. That may make me sound a little unsocial but when you start your 7 and a half hour long bus journey at 6am do you blame me?The bus was pretty busy and included your token chicken/duck, this time it was in a bucket with a hole in the top - so I had a beady eye watching me the whole journey...My reasons for going to Dar were to: See Liz, see Peter and to bring some money I owed to VSO (640000tsh– 2 months rent, they gave me by mistake!) so did not hang around Ubungo too long (the bus station – many vols have been pick pocket there). Bought my return ticket and went to the YWCA where Liz and I were staying. I grabbed lunch there as was not meeting Liz until later. Met peter just after lunch who is now working in the VSO office, writing a report on his placement. I gave the money to give to VSO on Monday. We popped over to the YMCA for a beer before parting ways and agreeing to meet again on the Sunday.In the afternoon I had a little nap and at 6.30 went down to the port to meet Liz (she was coming over from Pemba via Zanzibar, it was getting dark and did not want her to walk up from the port by herself. We got back to YWCA and then went to the Badminton Institute for dinner– we were meant to be meeting Anna, Mary, Ben and Hayley but they did not know the way so I popped out to meet them. The noticed me pretty quick and for a minute I wondered why but then remembered what continent I was on! The meal was yummy as always and was nice chatting to these guys again –it was a shame coz all but Anna were going home the next day.We went onto the Sweet and Easy club (sounds dodgy I know…) and there was live music and we met up with Frouke and two other Dutch volunteers. Had a little boogie and I compared the status of young people in Dar to young people in Mpwapwa – big difference! Got home late and a little tipsy!!Sunday 21st JuneWe had a little lie in and then went for naughty breakfast (to the bakery…) at 12 noon we got the daladala to meet Peter at shoppers plaza as he had not been there before. Liz and I had a picnic lunch (upstairs by the fountain) and after shopping had a drink in the proper coffee shop with Peter. Afterwards we walked Peter back to his house and he did not realise howclose he is to shoppers plaza. Peter’s house is just over the road from where Stephan and Sara used to live.In the afternoon on the way back to the YWCA Liz bought her bus ticket. Touts were harassing as usual but we knew what we were doing and when you want to go to Pemba they seem to hassle you less.We stopped by the Benjamin Mpaka building as there was 2 restaurants inside– we got the lift up to check them out but they were super splurge and we decided we shouldn’t eat in them! I would by when in Dar and wander if they were nice like the Red Onion but they were too posh!Instead we played some cards and had a few beers in Protein Bar and ate at the good old Lebanese place instead (only bad thing is no beer!) We went to bed early as we were both tired and on Monday I had to get the bus back to Mpwapwa and Liz was going to Zanzibar to meet her friend Rochae from Oz.The week at work was very quiet. Internet was really slow but on Wednesday Lubuva found some marking and I volunteered to do it (not like me I know but was twiddling thumbs!) Got stuck but was taking my time over it to make it last…Matayo came to TTC on Thursday to check with friends in the US about getting a VISA and going to visit them. I hope he can get it all sorted out, he would really enjoy the trip and has been in Mpwapwa for all the volunteers since 2001! The internet was super slow though very frustrating.On Friday Matayo came to TTC again, I think he misses Thad… After work I spent some time watching the chickens, they take turns sitting on the eggs. There are 11 eggs and I am not sure when they started sitting but am hoping for them little chicks. Dave the cock is funny as he will find food and call the hens over to share it with them. He also doesa funny dance when he wants to mate!Saturday 27th JuneI wrote some letters and posted them at the posta. They have run out of postcards! I met Matayo for lunch at Hafuns and I bought some insect spray to try and quell the ants in the house!There is no water in the town and they are digging trenches for a new pipe. Down by the bus stand some small houses were‘in the way’ they were knocked down so the men could continue with the trench and the people were just thrown out on the street! It made feel a little guilty wandering past to buy bug spray when they are now homeless (not sure they were paying rent but still did not feel nice…)In the evening I cooked veggie spaghetti and Matayo came over so I taught him how to play scrabble (I bought him a scrabble board in Dar) we had a few beers and I also taught him how to play Sh*t head. It was a nice evening and he spoke about how it was similar to when Angus was here.Sunday 28th JuneBen came over to pick up some of Peter’s stuff as he was going to Dar on Monday and would take it for him. Barbra also came over around 11am – she is from England and has been to Mpwapwa many times in the past. We went for lunch at Hafuns and we took her to meet Matayo. She is writing a book on abuse towards women in Tanzania…Had a bit of dodgy tummy after lunch but that happens out here now and then.In the evening, Ben, Matayo and myself went to sleepy chicken to watch the confederations cup final between Brazil and USA– Ben was supporting USA so I took Brazil and it was a great game with USA going 2 up but losing 3-2 in the end! We had lots of beers and enjoyed the rowdy atmosphere! Lots of shouting at the TV.Monday 29th JuneI did not feel very good, I had hangover and stomach cramps but went to work anyway. Helped Matayo at the TTC and copied him some movies to watch. It was so quiet, I think only 3 or 4 people around.Tuesday 30th JuneThere was no power as usual and I still did not feel too good so stayed at home. Made a punch bag out of a rice sack, some sandy soil from garden and foan from an old pillow - hung it in the tree and gave it some digs. The only problem is I knocked it out of shape. I may need to redesign the shape...Wednesday 1st JulyDecided to try and starve the bug out of my system by not eating all day and spent my time reading, checking chickens and watching some south park episodes. I went 24 hours with no food but did have a mug of cocoa and a pepsi.Thursday 2nd JulyNot feeling too bad, lethargic but that it due to lack of food/energy I went to work in time still no one in. Updated antivirus and took the rest of the marking home.Thad came back from his travels with family, they flew into Mpwapwa. I didn’t even know there was an airfield in Mpwapwa. The local kids were terrified of the plane!Have Junes wages waiting for me so will try and pay it in today. There are some med students staying at Peter’s old place so will take them for a drink tonight.Its funny on my blog there is less about work and more about weekends… Liz and I were also joking that we often do the same things each time in Dar but you do what you want to do and what you like! (we are going to try the cinema next time though though!)Peter due this weekend on Sunday for a few days with his daughter and then going to meet Liz in Dar next weekend and she going to stay with me in Mpwapwa for a week which will be nice as a little fed up at the moment (not much to do and feeling ill…)It will pass though and I am getting along okTake careP.s Currently missing(I don’t need to put family and friends because I always miss you!)BattenbergHot waterWhispas (any UK chocolate, sorry Kenya but your Cadburys chocolate does not cut it...)Being able to go the shops and buy chicken breast filletsSprouts (yes I am serious!)David Gemmell booksBloomer breadLettuceChinese noodles