4-26-14 Saturday
We woke
up and finished with the packing for us to head to Morogoro for the night. We
had our coffee (because how can one start the day without a cup of coffee) then
we walked to the river and crossed by foot. Upon arrival we saw there is a new
truck stuck in the river. The truck was filled with large bags of charcoal.
These bags can get very heavy and so they had to unload the truck in order to
be able to get it out of the river. What do they do with the bags of charcoal one
might ask, why, they rode the loads of charcoal across the river by bicycle.
They did this as if it was a normal occurrence. At least the river was low.
Abdala
met us on the other side of the river to drive us to the dalla dalla (bus)
stop. We decided to hire him for the drive so we could go to the Maasai market
which happened to be going on that day. The Maasai market was amazing. It was the
first time Asa was around people his own size, he fit right in. We bought some knobs
and Maasai fabric. I believe I may get some of the fabric turned into a dress,
but it is hard to tell if that will happen. There was an area where many goats
were being slaughtered for food. They have the market and that night they have
a feast of sorts with the goats. Asa and
Mamaliz wanted to see the slaughter area and Jove decided he wanted to go also.
Ayla couldn’t handle it so I stayed behind with her. When Jove saw, he asked
why they were killing the goats. Asa explained to him it was for food. Jove decided
he was hungry for goat. What other kid would have that response to seeing blood
pouring out of a goat’s neck.
We were
hoping to buy some Maasai jewelry because so much we see on them is beautiful.
All the beads however are regular pony beads, very disappointed. Ayla and Jove
make the same kind of jewelry at home. The kids thought the holes in the Maasai’s
ears were very strange. They are very stretched out. The holes are about the
size of a nickel.
We got
to Morogoro and went right to Ricky’s for lunch. We ordered a ton of food
because we were all very hungry. Abdala was invited to have lunch with us since
he drove us and changed his plans so we could see the market. The kids had fish
fingers and macaroni and cheese. The kids did not finish and so they shared. Abdala
had his first taste of Macaroni and cheese and fish sticks. This man is thirty
something and had never had it. Of all the things we have witnessed, I did not
expect to witness a grown mans first taste of food that I take to be so
ordinary.
After
we officially stuffed ourselves, we went to the hotel. As Mamaliz stated, it
was very posh, very pretty. Asa and Mamaliz went to the market for food stuffs
while the kids and I went to the pool. Women apparently don’t swim here so I
watched the kids swim. Well, Mamaliz did inform me later that I could have gone
swimming, but they would have thought me a whore, even though my swim suit was
a pair of Capri yoga pants and a sports bra. Asa found Obama gum at the market,
so of course he had to buy some. Where else would you find Obama chewing gum?
We even have an Obama bottle opener. On a short walk with the kids we found a
millipede that must have been 10 inches. It was different from the other
Morogoro millipedes we have seen, the feet were more brown than red. Asa picked
it up with a stick and the thing stung/bit itself. Those bugs scare me a
little.
Asa and
I decided to have a little childfree time. We went to the bar and a very nice
gin and tonic. There was a bridal party there; I have never seen a bride so
unexcited on her wedding day. When leaving, we saw bats in some really cool
trees in the front of the hotel. They were right next to a bunch of weaver bird
nests. I just love the scenery found everywhere here.
While
at the market, Mamaliz and Asa got some bananas. Jove ate eight of them in the
course of about 4 hours. I have never seen anyone, let alone a child his size
eat so many in so little time. That kid can pack it away.
The
majority of the rest of the night was spent in our room. The AC in the room was
just lovely. We got to sleep with a nice heavy blanket and still be
comfortable. Before falling asleep, the internet went out, and so we watched a
very bad movie, but it was still entertaining enough to keep attention whilst
making fun of the movie. The things that entertain you change a lot here. I tried
to Skype with my little sister but the internet was so bad and kept going out
it made it impossible. I was very disappointed since I was expecting better
internet. I was really hoping to see some faces on Skype, but hamna shida (no
problems).
Asa and
I had to split up and each sleep with a kid. There was just no way the two of
us could have both fit in one of those beds, too tiny. But sleep came fairly
easily thanks to the air conditioning. Very much appreciated.
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