From Rombo to Moshi
Trip Start
Feb 09, 2006
1
9
11
Trip End
Mar 01, 2006
Moshi,
Tanzania
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Today we headed off on the 11am bus to Moshi, the north part of the country. I gave out the last of the clothes to the neighbor kids and we headed into town. Scandinavia unfortunately does not go to Moshi from Tanga so we had to take another company. Our last time doing this was a disaster. Not only did the bus break down twice, they also packed the aisles with people and Animals. This company, we were assured, was much better. It is true they didn't pack the aisles but about two hours from our stop we were driving through a village and the bus slowed up to pick up a passenger. A bunch of kids playing by the side of the road started waving and yelling something. A few meters ahead a group of men sitting in the shade also jumped up and started shouting "Moto, Moto!" (Fire, Fire!)The bus immediately stopped and pandemonium ensued. Everyone wanted off the bus and all began grabbing bags and running for the door
A view of Kilimanjaro from our Hotel in Moshi
. We weren't dummies. Busses burn down to the tires here. Luckily it wasn't a big fire. It was put out pretty quickly and it turned out to be something with the rear brakes locking. I wasn't sure, but Richard, Julius' brother assured us it would be fine when they fixed it. It took about an hour or so and then we all piled back on the bus. This may sound suicidal but the Mechanic rides the bus because they break down so much and if we didn't get on we would be stuck in this tiny village for who knows how long. The rest of the bus ride was fine and we made it to Himo where our friend Father Dominic was picking us up. He took us to the village neighboring his where there is a nice tourist lodge for those climbing the mountain. Not many climb in February so we were the only guests. I LOVE staying up high on the hills surrounding the mountain. The climate is cool and breezy, even now in the height of summer. No need for a fan, much less a frozen water bottle. No mosquitos either so no nets. I want to buy a plot here! Even Dad would approve of this weather.
Rombo
Today we went to Mass at the church in Rombo, another church full of kids and one baby cried twice the entire two hours
Coffee Beans in Moshi
. All the rest of the toddlers/babies/kids were silent. Very impressive. Dominic's friend, who was officiating, invited us up to say a few things as visitors. I said that I was happy to be there and I worked at the same hospital as Fr Dominic and that he married us. They were all excited about that.We had lunch we a group of preists and nuns in the rectory. One nun was albinio, a pretty common genetic trait here in this region. Her name was also Sara so we were joking that we were not only the same color, we were also Wajina (sharing a name). We even took a photo together.
Next stop was Fr Dominic's house to see his parents. We went there last year so it was fun to see them again. His sister had a new baby to so I got to hold her.
We went back to Moshi after nightfall and got a room at the Buffalo hotel, the one we always stay at here. They have a new internet cafe, where I am typing right now. Not as cool as Rombo but cooler than Dar es Salaam
