We made it to Kasulu. After a very early morning getting up at the hotel (@ 3 AM!) we collected our things and headed out to the airport. Turns out we could have left a little later as we were just about the first passengers to get there for any of the morning flights. But, we did get to check in first! And with the bounty of bags and computer equipment we were bringing, we wanted to make sure everything was OK with the airline. The cost for extra weight (63 Kilos in all) was 315K Shillings, or about $200. Not a bargain, but it was expected and in our budget.
Coffee and samosa’s for breakfast was next on the list while we waited for the flight to be called. The flight itself was real smooth. No turbulence, which is always a plus when you are flying on a commuter plane. I must admit that at this point I finally relaxed. It was not that I was nervous about anything in particular. Besides, everything about the trip so far was going according to plan. But now the reality of being out in Kasulu was coming to pass. I like it out here. I really do. Besides the weather and the surroundings, I like the closeness of the Christian community we experience everytime we come. It is aways warn, inviting and very genuine. In fact, when we pulled into the DWT compound, there was a whole group of staff members and others from DWT who met us at the gate with singing while waving small leafy branches (which looked like miniature palms). It’s a very traditional thing that they do for visitors.
Getting back to a little earlier, Daudi met us at the airport. I think he got a kick out of all the bags we kept handing out to him to carry over to the Toyota Landcruser. We just about filled it up. I had enough room to stretch out on one of the bench seats, but everything else was covered. Cathy sat in front with Daudi. After our arrival and greeting at the compound, we unloaded the computer equipment and then drove back into Kasulu central to our hotel. That’s right, we are staying in a hotel this time. The compound is filled with visitors this years. And with one of the houses now being rented by a government agency, guest space is even more limited. But it’s a good thing for DWT to be able to rent the space. It really helps them out on the bottom line. So we are now in the Upendo Guest Lodge. It’s a clean place that’s a bit tight on space but we’ll manage for sure. We will be going to Bishop Makaya’s home this evening for dinner and then hopefully after a good night’s rest, we’ll hit the ground running tomorrow. We are excited, expectant and waiting on The Lord.
FYI – pictures will be posted a little later.
Bill
What a day! We walk around much of the inner city area. We first needed to connect with our computer vendor (Ideal Computers) which is in the heart of the city. This is a new vendor for us as our previous vendor seems to have closed up shop. We don’t know if he moved away or across the city, but with no forwarding phone number or any other info to find him, we had to go with plan “B” and find another vendor. Fortunately, through some Internet searching, we were able to narrow the choice down to one that is only two blocks from the hotel we are staying at. That was a GREAT blessing as we were able to walk a short distance from the store to our hotel with the equipment we need.
After visiting the computer store, we moved on to the Air Emirates office to go over some potential changes to our seating for our return trip. We then went to a book store so Cathy could purchase a prayer book and hymnal in Swahili (from the Anglican Church of Tanzania). And then of course, we had to get our cell phone SIM chips and prepaid vouchers for communications while in country.
This evening we walked several blocks away to have dinner at a Lebanese restaurant that I saw last year during our walk through the city. It was good. We’ll definitely make our way back there in the future.
All in all, it was a fabulous day that worked out perfectly. We’ve got all the provisions and equipment ready to go for our trip tomorrow to Kigoma and drive to Kasulu. I’m looking forward to our time with our friends and to see what The Lord has in store for us to experience here in Tanzania again. We’ll keep the eye’s of our hearts open to what ever that is.
Thanks to your all for your prayers and encouragement. It means a lot to us.
Next stop, Kasulu!!!
Bill