Welcome to Tanzania
So here I am, way out on the western fringe of Tanzania: namely Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika. Yes, it’s in the sticks, but not that remote. There’s an airport and a train station with services to the capital. Getting here should have been so easy! It wasn’t….
First, a few days before I was due to leave, my hosts here in Tanzania – UPENDO Honey - very sensibly wanted to reconfirm when I’d be arriving. Never, according to Air Tanzania! Both my flight and my booking seemed to have vanished from their system. Enquiries were made by phone and e-mail and it transpired the flight had been renumbered and would now leave a day later, without the airline bothering to notify me. My booking reference, too, had changed. No wonder I hadn’t been contacted. Thank you Trailfinders, however, for quickly organising a hotel in Dar to tide me over.
Second, as I was closing up my bags ready to set off to Birmingham airport, I got a call from Emirates.
My flight was delayed by 2 hours and I would definitely
make my onward connection from Dubai to Dar Es Salaam.
The taxi was already on its way, and couldn’t be turned back, so that would just prolong the agony of waiting in departures.
As to the connection, Emirates wanted me to wait until we landed in Dubai before re-booking.
‘Perhaps there might be time for me to run to the gate allowing my luggage follow on later’ said the check in agent.
‘No way’ I said!
Not when you have onward connections to remote destinations, that are only served on certain days of the week.
Adrenalin was pumping as a I argued for a definite solution.
I got myself rebooked on a flight leaving some three hours after the delayed arrival time.
Oh, how I love sitting in departure lounges……
And won.
Great.
The unplanned extended stay in Dar was OK, and the early morning departure from there to Kigoma without incident. Kigoma really is small. The airport is a rough tarmac strip bordered by grass and gravel. The buildings are little more than concrete sheds with corrugated roofs. The baggage reclaim is a hatch in the wall, where bags are handed out one at a time. Sorry, but I just had to act the tourist and take some photos. Take a look ……
My home is nothing special: a block-built bungalow comprising three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living area and kitchen. It sounds a lot better on paper. This is the real description: internal floors are painted concrete, the windows have bug screens but no blinds or curtains, bare light bulbs, the kitchen is fairly basic and the shower is an overhead spray falling directly on to the floor, but without being properly lined up with the drain. Result: after showering the water, to a depth of a few centimetres, must be swept towards the drain with a broom. Oh, and I have a gecko in the wardrobe for company! I suppose you’d call it character building.
Whatever, I’ll survive! Do turn the page for a quick peek. 😊