The Polar Express [part 2]

Our former plan for the next day was to continue our way to Arusha. But for some reason you can keep planning things and in the end it all comes differently. Today, we met another volunteer who worked in the centre and who wanted to show us the workshops. Also, a german professor had just arrived because he was giving several seminars in the area. The “usa rehabilitation and training centre“ trains young people with disabilities in the following subjects: carpenting, locksmithing, tailoring, shoemaking and baking. There was also a new group, the special class. This class is being trained in everyday chores so that when they return to their families they are of help. The single workshops are highly equipped. There was no difference from their bakery to a german one. The centre is being financed by donations, renting out the premises and by selling self-made goods. The church therefore sends containers to the centre containing machinery and equipment from Germany. I was not aware that it was possible to built up a project like this and that there was even one already existing. Of course the employees underlined that the church was relying on donations to cover the running costs and the school fees for the students. We kept talking for a while with the german professor, the german volunteer and the girl who was now an employee there while sipping some smoothies. As we were mentioning our plans to continue our journey later that afternoon the two girls looked at us aghast. Both assured us that we could stay a little longer with them. After short consideration Anya and I decided they were right. Why should we make a move when we just met some really nice people? So we stayed that day in Usa River drinking coffee with the girls and exchanging experiences. Both of them were sent by an organisation called “weltwärts“ and they were really praising this organisation. I would not have mind to live and work in a project like this, the way those two were living.

Because we stayed another night in Usa River we had to reduce the length of our stay in Arusha. This meant that we did not go do a Massai village but this not only saved us some money but would have been too touristic anyway. It turned out that our decision was not too bad in the end. Arusha is definitely not a nice town. Although there are many places to eat and drink coffee the whole city is highly affected by the safari-tourists. The prices of the souvenirshops were insane and everywhere were offices that offered safaris and posh hotels. In addition tot hat just a few weeks ago the well-known massai market had burnt down. This huge market was known to sell beautiful and unique products made by the massai. But there was nothing left of that. Rumour has it that it was malicious arson. People also claimed bitterly that it would be of no surprise if a foreign investor put a big building on that land, soon.

Because we did not fancy to stay longer than needed in this town we bought some bus tickets to Lushoto for the next day. Unfortunately, there was only one bus line that went there directly which took off at 6 in the morning.

The two girls from Tanga, Anna and Jin-Ah, announced that they were meeting us in Lushoto to go on the hike weh ad planned together. I was really looking forward to go on a last trip with those two. Once we arrived in the tiny mountain village we were totally drained. It took us 9 hours to get tot he village in the Usambara Mountains just outside from Tanga. Still, the village featured stunning views and pretty little brick buildings built by the German colonists. After we went out like a light that night we were waiting for the others to join us the next morning. Although their bus was also running quite late, they finally arrived at mid-day. Knowingly we had prepared some fruits for them so after having a snack wes et off to climb the mountains. We actually aimed to go to the “Irente Farm“ as friends told us that the farm made their own cheese, jams, honey and even rye bread. But somehow we missed a path and walked in a completely wrong direction. This was so typical for us. Nevertheless the view was breathtaking. You were able to see right down the valley and when you looked closely you could see waterfalls carved into neighbouring mountains. After we asked some people we finally got to the viewing point of the Irente Farm. By now it was getting dark and there was no way we could have some food at this time at the farm. So we had do stop two pikipikis to take us back to the hotel.

Still, the prospect of a nice sandwich with cheese was just too tempting. We decided to have a second breakfast the next day and go up to the farm again. So we got two pikipikis at midday to take us up there. The farm offered lovely things in their shop: jams, cereal bars, passionfruit juice and all sorts. We instantly knew we would not leave this place feeling hungry! The manager who had emigrated from Germany 25 years ago offered the all inclusve picnic to us for 4€. We settled down in a beautiful clearing overlooking the Usambara Mountains. Above our heads crowed massive tropical birds and we were being spoilt with plenty of goodies. There were a herb dip made of goat cheese, normal cheese, rye bread, four different jams , mango chutney, fruits and vegetables and passionfruit juice. For someone who had only toast and absolutely no milk products the last four month this picnic was fantastic. It only took a piece of bread with cheese on to make those starving volunteers happy.

This highlight was meant to be the end of our North tour because we soon had to get on a bus back to Tanga. It is very tiring to travel in this kind of heat, to be on the move constantly and carrying all your belongings in a backpack. Especially, when the tanzanian means of transport are not very reliable and comfortable and it takes you ages to get to your destination. Nevertheless, I saw so many things, met so many people and for a last time experienced Tanzania they way it lives.