Almost everyday for the last week we have spent traveling. We made our way back through Uganda and a have returned to Tanzania by land, water, and air. From our week of pure traveling we have plenty of funny stories to share with you when we return home.
After Sipi Falls we made our way down to Kampala where we spent the night. The following morning we hoped on a nicely overcrowded bus to cross the border back to Tanzania. There were not enough seats for the number of people, so other passengers ended up sitting on luggage in the aisle way. We had to crawl on our hands and knees over the luggage to reach our seats. After about ten hours we safely went through custom (which were not very difficult) and reached our destination, Bukoba, Tanzania.We spent the day in Bukoba, eating chipatis, lounging, and playing twister on the beach of lake Victoria.
We waddled down the beach with all of our gear during twilight. We had a vey mini trek to reach the port.We dodged mud puddles, walked on rocks, and jumped over streams to get there. In the moment of our confusion where to go next, a line started to form, which we hustled into. People were shoving and what not trying to get in. We made it through the fence gates with our pink hole punched tickets and found a new line for third-class. When we got to the top of the ramp the captain yelled to us and brought us to the first class deck. They moved us from what most likely would be a crowded room to open air. He told us that he moved us because of safety and didn’t want people to get their belongings stolen.. We soon made our beds on the benches and dozed in and out of cautiousness, while two people stayed upon guard (thank you Lil, and Saxon!)….
Mwanza Bonzanza
Her name
Victoria
Floating royalty
on fortunately calm waters
Soon to embark
We lounge in privileged seclusion
surrounded by
Banana Basins
And curious on lookers
Who’ve become suspicious
After a brief chat with a crew member
Weary blurred eyeballs
itchy from ubiquitous dust
in our exclusive bubble
the horn blasts
again
to announce nothing
in particular
our movement as suttle
as the ripples beneath us
Lil head bangs to an i-pod
while a woman arranges bananas
looking concerned about
her mental state
The time has finally come
The horn blasts genuinely
and we glide through darkness
in Africa’s eyeball.
-Adam Haigler
At 2:30 in the morning Saxon woke all of us up informing us that it was raining. We tucked ourselves a little farther inside our sleeping bags as we were misted by the rain. Soon the mist turned into a down pour. We all still groggy got up and grabbed our gear. We searched for cover like Alaskan crab fisherman trying to find their pots in the side ways rain. The captain soon came back up and saved us. He took us down to the eating quarters, where we laid our stuff and selves out to dry. One by one people started to doze back off as a group of us were entranced by the T.V. showing WWE wrestling. We could not figure out why we found it so entertaining, along with why so many Americans actually watched it. Some of us even reminisced about our middle school years and how we used to watch it. At six we re awoke and watched the sunrise over the now peaceful waters of Lake Victoria.
We got off the boat and proceeded to find our hotel in Mwanza, where we took naps. For the rest of the day we walked around and enjoyed the city. The next day we took a plane to Moshi. Where we started Free travel. We split into two groups and went our separate ways. Jill, Bridget, Saxon and the Adams made there way to Pangani where they enjoyed bathing in the sun on the coast. They Also went to Zanzibar a day early and on the boat ride over were met by dolphins swimming along with the boat.
Lil, Emily, and Allison stayed behind in Moshi. On Saturday we had the opportunity to go back a visit our friends a the UAACC. We were able to go swimming with the kids and a luxurious lodge. The children themselves do not know how to swim so we mostly just watched them dunk themselves and flail around in the kiddie pool. After a few hours we left and returned to the center. There, we were able to enjoy another one of their fabulous meals and watch Harry Potter 2 with the kids. Our time soon came to an end, as we headed back to Moshi. We hopped on to a coaster bus. Which this time instead of packed with luggage, like our earlier adventure, it was packed with people.We squeezed our way on to the bus a left. soon Lil realized she was holding only one of the two bathing suits she was just holding. We passed her a small light to see if she could find it. ‘Do you see it?’ Allison asked. Lil and Emily looked down, looked back up, and started to laugh. All the saw were two women’s kitakos. Lil,soon found her missing swim suite on the driver’s lap. After about thirty minutes we made it back to a seat and were rewarded with the amazing view of the Tanzanian night sky.
The following day we got dressed up in our newly sewn African inspired outfits and went to Easter service. We enjoyed listening to the songs of praise which the children led. We spent the rest of our free travel hanging out in Moshi and Dar es Salaam. We have all now arrived in Zanzibar which has beautiful white sand beaches with aqua blue water to accompany it. Tomorrow we start Scuba and are all very excited.
Love,
