Last working day in Morogoro

I got up extra early this morning to allow time to finish packing for my safari. I said goodbye to my bedroom view, double checked that I had everything and off I went. 

We worked for a few hours at the office that felt like a blur and then it was time to leave. My heart was jumping at the nervousness of the unknown.

My driver wound through the crowded, narrow streets of the town narrowly avoiding collisions with motorbikes and pedestrians. We turned onto a small dirt road in really rough shape (like the road leading to Paul's place.). Bohani came out a short time later and we aimed toward the bus station. 

This is, of course, like no bus station I have ever seen before. Buses, cars, shops, and people everywhere!  We couldn't be sure what time the bus would come so we waited in the car for some time. When a bus would drive in the vendors would swarm over to the car like flies to honey, but it never appeared to be more aggressive selling than that. We had a few people come to the car, but when they didn't get my attention they moved on. 

I was quite surprised that, at one point three men started hanging around our car. They weren't trying to sell us anything, they were just hanging out, leaning against the car. One started rhythmically tapping on the car at one point. Bohani, didn't seem the slightest bit phased and, frankly didn't seem to notice. It made me realize that Americans have unspoken rules about personal space about our cars. 

Eventually, our driver told us that our bus had arrived. It was a Tm Luxury Coach. We made our way on board and found seats across the aisle from each other and we started to head off. 

I was confused when the bus took off and we hadn't paid. Bohani explained that they would come through the cabin for that. Sure enough, about five minutes after we got on one of the riders stood up and I could see he was in uniform and he spoke to Bohani in Swahili, he asked us our names, I handed over 20,000 shillings for the two of us (I think that's about $12) and we we done. 

The woman who was sitting next to me said, "Jeanne, I am very glad to know your name," and we began to talk. Can you imagine an American starting a conversation that way?? I'm bad enough that when I hear someone struggling with technology I just can't help myself from offering a hand, but I can't imagine such friendliness being received well. 

Sophia Joan told me that her husband is a Masai. She plans on getting back to Dar Es Salaam by Sunday. She hopes only to be able to see Obama's motorcade. That would be a thrill for her. She wondered if I had ever met him. 

When we got out on the open road the second uniformed bus steward jumped up, went through the cabin asking for trash and then he turned on a video. At first they played loud music videos but then the switched to a silly comedy called Mad Buddies. The volume was too low to hear, but I got the gist  

A black guy and white guy met, instantly hated each other. Ran into each other years later at a wedding which they ruin with their fighting. They are arrested and seem to be sentenced to do something together that will e eventually make them friends.  Oohh! I just saw my first giraffe! And look there go two zebras.  I kept looking out the window but didn't spot anything else. 

The bus felt as though it was going really fast. The seats have buckles on them -- mine was broken but I just kind of tied it together. I noticed that drivers honk their horns a lot less often than in Mozambique, Ghana, or Mexico. Suddenly, I haven't the slightest idea how he knew, Bohani says that we are nearly there and we should make our way up to the front. 

So we grab my bags and sure enough, seconds later the bus pulls up in front of the small driveway. It looked like a nothing kind of place in the middle of nowhere, but I have learned not to judge things quickly here.

A few steps inside the gate and it's absolutely stunning. There are huts and bungalows and lovely chairs and a dining room. A young woman grabbed my bag and directed us to reception.

The woman behind the counter had a few minutes of trouble finding my name but, once found told me that I had a full-day scheduled for tomorrow from 7am until 6 PM. They gave us each a glass if watermelon juice,  I said asante to Bohani and the young woman showed me to my room. 

I don't think a room is an accurate way to describe my building.  I'm in B2, a free standing room with a little living room, a large bathroom and shower (no curtain) and a double and a single bed with mosquito netting surrounding them. It's terribly beautiful. The highlight is this porch that I'm sitting on now. It's in the back of the building. It has three chairs facing a maize field with birds calls surrounding me. I've been sitting here for a few hours now just taking it in, doing a little knitting, dozing for a few moments, watching the chickens scratch their way through the field and enjoying this delicious breeze. 

I haven't had a mosquito problem since I arrived, but I'll tell you, the flies don't seem interested in surprise attacks. They are so loud when they approach!  

Eventually, I made my way over to the entrance and it turns out they do have wireless available for free there!

I started to chat with some folks and a woman brought me popcorn. I was relaxing, talking, chewing, knitting and a colleague in Ghana needed a file ASAP!  I didn't know I could have Internet access so I didn't even bring my computer. There goes my relaxing evening! I'm working to get David to create and send the files he needs. 

While I was eating a fabulous dinner of Prawns Marsala, a young, handsome man came up to me and told me he'll be going me in the safari tomorrow. His names is Johannes. He is from Austria. He was in South Africa in April and he has been here for a month and a half. This is his big adventure before he heads home on Monday. 

I was a little concerned because we were told that they may close the airport on Monday for Obama's arrival. He's going to check on it. Apparently Obama had been planning on visiting Makumi as well, but that part was cancelled. I wonder if he'll have working air conditioner on his flight?

Eventually, Jeffrey, the "Swiss" part of Tan Swiss, came over to give us a run down of what will happen tomorrow. I am glad I will have a pal along for the ride.