With little to do but pack our things and get ready to check out at noon, Cathy and I slept in this morning and had a 9 AM breakfast. The Tanzanite Executives Suites hotel where we are staying is very nice by western hotel standards. It’s got a great shower in the bathroom, which is much appreciated at this point in time (no more be said about that). They have also opened a new restaurant this year, which makes it very convenient to have a decent meal without having to leave the hotel. It’s in the heart of the inner city, so it’s an easy walk to just about anything you need. With nothing pressing to do, I did just that; take a walk about the city.
Dar is and interesting city. It is a assemblage of diverse elements of religion, race and cultures. At any corner you may fund a church or a mosque or a hindu temple or whatever. The variety of shops and products are also numerous. It is also a growing city. Skyscrapers are pushing up all over the place. Some are apartments, others are hotels and business centers. It’s hard to believe the difference in the skyline from my first visit in November of 2005. I’m not sure economically what is generating all of the construction activity, but in a way, it’s good to see the growth and for sure the employment it must be generating.
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It’s 11 AM now so it’s time for me to take that last shower and get ready to head off to the airport. I’m hoping to get some time later today to reflect on all we have experienced in this year’s trip. I also hope to post some more video’s either from the airport of when we get home tomorrow. It will be great to be home, and yet I know I’m leaving a bit of my heart here in Tanzania. It’s a country that grows on you.
Bill
The day started early at 5 AM. We had a few more things to pack and by 6:30, we were off to the airport with Daudi and Mama Neema (Editha, the Bishop’s wife). It was nice to have here come along with us and say goodbye at the airport. We all agreed that it’s not really goodbye, but see you again soon. I’m looking forward to returning to this region. With the guest house construction moving along, we should be staying in a new place on our next trip and helping to outfit it with furnishings and supplies for ourselves and others who will stay there in the future.
Our flight arrived in Dar on time and with mid afternoon traffic we eventually go to our hotel and checked in at 3 PM. After a late lunch I walked over to the computer store, Ideal Computers, where we purchased our equipment to report to them that everything worked out perfectly. I also asked for advice on purchasing deep cycle storage batteries for the solar power system at Kasulu Bible College. Unfortunitely last year two of the batteries were stolen during some contruction at KBC. At this point they really need a full set of four to put the solar system back in to operation. The folks at Ideal did not have a source, but they were able to point me in the direction of some battery dealers that were just a few blocks from their store. I took a walk over and found a store that has the exact batteries we are looking for! Praise God, what a great find. I talked with the store manager and got his business contact info so that I can coordinate a purchase from that for KBC when we are able to raise the funds needed for the batteries.
So with that, our business in Dar is complete. Right now Cathy and I are relaxing in our room. We’ll clean up and hang out for a while and just enjoy a quite evening. Tomorrow we can take it slow in the morning. We won’t leave for the airport until 12:30 to 1 PM.
Bill