HALE of a Trip-TIA

TIA means "THIS IS AFRICA" and is usually spoken as a final expression when things just don't go as you expected them to. It's not usually a big surprise when there is a "shida" (problem)...just TIA.

As we made our way to Dodoma there were TIA's at many turns:
* drove 6 hours over dirt roads to get to Dodoma
* the steering went out on the Landrover
* there was dirt in my camera and it ceased to work
* the power was out at the house when we arrived after driving 6 hours on rough, dirt roads
* Sunday, we had to tow a car load of Tanzanians in a broken down car to church and then back to Dodoma (about 15 kilometers each way)
* We were invited for a fish dinner at friends on Sunday. I assumed it was evening....it was lunch. We had lunch at the Tanzanian church and rushed down the mountain (towing a car with Tanzanians) to eat fish with the Sprinkels, after receiving a call asking where we were.
* Monday had to hire a car and driver to take Jerry and Charles to see water projects
* Tuesday had to hire another car and driver to take Jerry and Charles to Dar es Salaam to catch their plane.

I think Jerry and Charles have pictures from those days..........I don't........I have a "shida" with my camera.............

Today........the Landrover is fixed and we can now steer with confidence. I am packing to go back to the States on Monday and my clothes look horrible from many days of hanging on a clothesline with blowing red dirt and a merciless sun............TIA.