03/09/11

Some random children

Kigoma was a real experience. We were there for 2 nights in total. My main jobs were to do the food shopping for the next two weeks and to withdraw from the company account in the amount of over 6 million shillings! That’s right I am a multi millionaire.

The food shopping was all done in the local market which was actually really nice. The smells and colours were fantastic. I hope to take my camera next time. Food shopping out here however is not your average trip to Tesco. When you are still getting to grips with the language and you are white it is like being thrown into a wolves den wearing a sloppy suite of meat. This is the logistical side of the job. For example we needed 50kg of rice, 25kg of flour, 30 eggs, 10 litres of cooking oil, amples of fruit and veg, coffee, tea and much much more. This sounds simple no? in reality I found it to be far from it. The price for each item or amount/kilo needs to be haggled, the amount specified, then watched into its respective packaging to make sure the right amount was weighed. Then you need arrange someone to help carry it for you (which everyone wants to do), all in a different language?! Haha Often you are dealing with more than 3 people at once and the money your handing out needs to be kept track of/all your items!

And as if Daisy (The camps Toyota Landcruiser) was not laden full enough, we also needed 200 Litres of water (because our camp river has dried up completely). Then was the 4 hour journey back to camp on some seriously bumpy “roads”. This journey was yesterday and I’d like to say in advance that not every bump on the road can be avoided. Sadly yesterday was no exception and one of these criminal bumps caused one of the plastic water tanks (100L) to crack (right at the bottom!). None of us noticed until we were practically at camp and our feet were resting in 2 inches of sloshing water! BALLS. When we get back to camp – sure enough the tank is completely empty. On the upside, the fruit and veg got a good sprucing!

Some awesomely cool dude driving through Africa with a mario T-shirt

Me not posing infront of a sunset over lake Tanganika

Believe it or not i was dead chuffed with myself. (me and Agama)

Oh and today I finally managed to catch one of the Agamas (lizards)! (What do you want from me? Theres no television!).