Day 1 - Tanzania

We’re back!!  We almost made it through the airport last night without incident but got stopped at the last point and asked about all the lights.  We have 600 solar LED lights on 4  suitcases with us for the schools and village in  Sumbawanga.  Long story short we had to pay a fee to bring  everything in.   Long story, we had to load up all 8 checked bags, 5 rolly bags, and 5 backpacks and go back through security (1 small belt and a young woman). And into a small room with who we assume is an airport official.  It was a bit  scary and intimidating.  The kids were outside  the room.  He said they would be safe.  I almost cried.  And then he asked us about a movie release in August.  Said he loves the American movies,  asked again the value of the bags and that I  might be mistaken.  I had already super duper low balled the value by ALOT.   So Pat gave a    new value and Erick, as we came to know him,  thought that sounded about right.  It was the weirdest turn around I couldn’t have imagined.  He was funny and trying to joke by telling the kids I was getting arrested.  Kind of not funny    but I was just grateful that he reduced fine and I was getting to leave with all the bags.

We were greeted outside the airport by Sam.  He was our driver/guide last year during the safari and then a few days in Sumbawanga.  We love him.  He has been chased by lions, bitten by cobras,  charged by a hippo but when he saw us coming out, did jazz hands and screamed “my Susi!!!”  He is our Sam. ❤️

We checked into our hotel just after midnight and ate plates of food at 1:30.  Feel mostly great with jet-lag but are definitely hungry at odd times and wide awake quite late.  

Today Sam and our city guide, Benson took me to the largest outdoor market in the city to do some shopping.  Benson works for Chabo and  does the city parts.  Pat and the kids stayed at  the hotel to avoid shopping and to enjoy the pool and beach.   The market was packed  chaos.  I  wanted fabric, shoes, and to see it.   Benson and Sam created a “Susi sandwich” of  security.  I followed Benson and Sam followed me.  I would show them things I liked from a distance and they would go bargain for a price then I  could come and decide which ones.  If I came  to the booth with them first, the price tripled.  They knew this would happen so they planned   this ahead.  It was hot, and crowded, and I loved it. 

On our way back to the hotel we stopped at a little stall on the side of the road to buy Samsome swim trunks.  He’s never been in the  ocean and we had to change that.  It was the  best thing ever to see him run in and jump the   waves.  He said today was enough memories for his life.  What a lovely joy,  Up at 4 tomorrow (5 hours from now) to be on    the road to Iringa by 5.  7 hour drive and we stay tomorrow night there.  Sam is from Iringa and we will get to meet his daughter and hopefully   his mother.  

Thanks for checking in.  I’m not feeling super  witty today.  Just content being here and exited  for the days we have.  G’night!


https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YtB8XTg1uHLwDC5PkNXI51forQlT62TlMarket in Dar es Salaamhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1h9liCAA3_-sgl6FFoHcWi0LFyNqEWrTs
Goats on the freeway.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wTkrk2hf0LtRgUEOEZ9J-bdqYDlrQOCQ
Playing in the Indian Ocean.  It’s warm like North Carolina beach water.

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