Sunday, August 22, 2010

pretzels anyone?

Second Chance is in Msranga which is located about 5 km outside of the town of Moshi.  Being a Saturday morning without much work to do this day, I decided to make my way into town.  This meant I would be back on the dalla dalla.  This has become second nature to me now, but one never takes anything for granted.  I made the short walk up the dirt road to the tarmac where I spotted a young lady also patiently waiting.  While the nights have been cool, the mornings have gotten hot quite quickly.  I politely asked her how much the trip would cost.  She informed me it was roughly a quarter.  We only waited a few minutes.  Msranga must be towards the end of the typical route as there weren't any passengers on the bus at this point.  I found my place at the back knowing it would fill quickly.  Sure enough it did.  The ride took about twenty minutes.  I met my friend, and we casually walked around the busy streets.  The city environment is exhilarating.  My friend informed me that he had to make some final preparations with clients who would be climbing the mountain beginning the next morning, so we parted ways at the bus stand.  I would catch another dalla dalla up to Kili Kids to surprise the children.  I found a seat near the front between the double benches. The seats filled as the minutes passed.  It was getting quite crowded when a couple of older ladies were attempting to board the bus.  There wasn't any space for them, so being the foolish fellow that I am I offered my seat to one of kindly looking women.  She was appreciative, but I knew what was coming.  By the time three more crowded in behind me I was standing on my right foot with my neck craned over, bent on a ninety degree angle at the waist, an arm wrapped around one support bar, and my other free hand pushing against the ceiling, so I could maintain my balance.  The fee collector managed to cram the door shut, and we started off at a snails pace up the double road.  I did my best to stretch my leg despite my contorted position, so I wouldn't lapse into a full body cramp.  We reached the roundabout and crept our way into Shanty Town.  All I could see was the blurred road behind us in the rear view mirror.  The sporadic speed bumps did nothing to give away our location, but it did loosen the muscles in my back.  My view of our whereabouts was effectively nil.  I was surprised further as the tarmac had been extended the previous winter which I hadn't known, so I relied on a young woman, seated practically underneath me, to remind the driver where I needed to disembark.  I thanked her for her assistance, paid the man, and strode happily down the path to the orphanage. 

2 comments:

Denise McCarthy said...

I had an seared-in-the-brain experience like that too in Moshi. I remember mumbling to myself about the discomfort when the man next to me, also twisted into a 90 degree angle, look at me (sideways) and said...this is Africa. I remember saying, yeah, well you need more daladalas on the road here in Africa, to which he serenely responded. It will be over soon. And it was for me, because I had money for a taxi in my pocket. I got off at the following stop (with Mary in tow) and hailed a cab. I did allow a few people who were stuck at the busstop to ride with us, though, to ease my conscience.

Glad to hear your reports have started! Can't wait for the next one!

Kerry said...

Glad your writing again! Keep it coming! Love you kaka!