There is nothing like a 7 hour drive on shitty roads to stiffen you up. It is a drive that I wouldn’t like to do everyday as the drivers here are merciless machines. They would drive for days on end if you asked them to. Everyone here has a specific task to do and most take pride in what they do. For example if a vehicle is assigned a driver then that is there job and nothing else. When the vehicle is not being driven it is being washed and wiped over. Come to think of it is sounds like me and my new bike.
While driving along there is always plenty to see. It is fruit season here at the moment. Huge mango trees dot the landscape. They are as big as houses. I’d hate to be the one that has to climb to the top to get the fruit but you can be sure that someone will. Mango stalls are set up along the side of the road. Usually there is minimum of 10 peole gathered around talkng. Pineapples and bananas are the other fresh fruit available. I’ve never eaten fresh pineapples like these anywhere, they are fantastic when they are in season. I try to snack on fruit when I can but it is only available in our camps on certain days so it is not always possible.
Well it happens on every trip. Its gets to a certain point when food tends to flow through you. Not constantly mind you (hope nobody is eating) as you still eat normally and there is no pain but none the less, always something to look forward to. I’m not sure if it is the change in diet or the malaria tablets (doxycyclin-antibiotic). I have varied when I take them and it does tend to change trends but? so does a bout of badly prepared food. Thank god the food is usually pretty good. I thought about taking another Malaria drug called larium. You take it once a week but it can have some nasty side effects (weired dreams, sweats) on the day you take them. I opted for the daily antibiotic.
We had a visit from a couple of UN peolple from Ngara, the closest airstrip and largest population centre near here apart from the refugee camps. Bill (Australian) and his companion Alletta (Spanish) told us that there are about 90 000 refugees in the district in about 8 different camps. UN representives try and run the camps in conjunction with the Tanzanian government. You have to admire the peolple that work permanently out here. It gives you a new perspective on life.
The UN visit was an excuse for a BBQ or brie (South African) and a few beers. The selection for the evening was Heinekin, a Chec Pillsner, Castle (South African), Primus (Burundi “homebrew”) and of course G&T (medicine). To match the beer we had an international selection of peolple. The countries represented were Australia, South Africa, Spain, England, Nepal, Canada, Switzerland and Tanzania. To boot Ironman NZ was on the satellite TV! Made me think about Forster next year. Yes Forster…can’t wait. It was an interesting night.
I’m still running every second night. I walked the first night to get a feel for the place. We are at about 1600m on the side of a ridge that maxes at 1750m. The valley floor is about 1400m. In other words very hilly. The runs are tough. Trying to keep the distance/time down (45min) to reduce impact on body. I might go for a bit of a longer run tonight. The security guys here on site are all ex military (UK Navey SEAL and Gurkas) so there is some sort of training a couple of times a week. It varies from basic weights to hand to hand combat and hold techniques. I did a session of punching techniques the other using focus pads. This lasted for about an hour. I’m still stiff two days later but heaven help any still object covered in foam that decides to get in my way.
Running in a new place is always nice. So many new things to see. There isn’t much out here in terms of big animals. There used to be hippos in the river at the base of the valley but the refugees coming across the border (river) have taken them out. They are supoosed to be very good eating but only know of one person that has tried it. Most of the hills are covered in tall grass with a few isolated trees here and there. There are plenty of small birds. There are snakes here. I saw a small grass snake that had been killed by one of the locals yesterday. The other local variety of snake is cobra, black mamba and puff adder. A cobra popped it’s head up out of the grass to take a look at one of the surveyors the other day. I am keen to get a look at one but if I don’t a won’t be complaining.
I will be here another day or so before heading back to Bulyanhulu (central Tanzania) and then on to Dar Es Salaam. I suppose I can’t finished up without a few important words of Swahili: Choo-Toilet and of course ogolea, baisikele, kimbia – swim, bike, run.
Anyway another week in Africa…
Baz