Survived the ferry!
Trip Start
Dec 20, 2007
1
7
10
Trip End
??? ??, 2007
Bukoba, Tanzania
Monday, July 23, 2007
Our first sign that perhaps we should rethink the ferry thing, was that the original first class boat was under repairs and the replacement had no class specifications. Okay, we thought... If we can enjoy a daladala and blending in with the locals, surely we can enjoy a ferry boat ride overnight with everyone crammed onto the deck of a ship. HAH!
Backpacks strapped on, we boarded the old boat with all the locals carrying their luggage on their heads and were completely taken aback by the stench of rotten fish. We were ushered up to the top level of the boat where we found a hard seat and tried to make ourselves comfortable for our twelve hour ride overnight. A gentleman set up his local store and started selling beer and snacks to everyone. Once it became dark everything changed. We were very quick to realize that on a boat with about 600 people, we were the only foreigners and two girls at that! My imagination and tendency to get extremely paranoid was definately kicking in. We met a young man who spoke english and he was telling us about what was going on on the ferry. There were women selling themselves and pickpockets and everything! Really, it was so terrifying at the moment. I think for sure we were fine but it was certainly not a comfortable experience.
I just realized that I only have 5 minutes left on this computer and promise to elaborate soon. Everything just gets more and more interesting. This is going to kick me off soon so I must go.
Quickly, thanks so much Valerie for all your help with the kids. I have written you a couple of emails unsuccesfully but want you to know that I am so releived to have you with my girls. Shelley, you rock chick. THanks for your help too. We couldn't have done this without you guys. Also, so nice to see so many people following along. I promise we have some very exciting news about our work in Bukoba with the Ukimwi Orphans. I will get back to an email tomorrow or the next day as tonight we are back on the boat heading back to Mwanza to meet Sophies Sponsor child with World Vision.....
Talk soon everyone!
Comments
Be careful on the boat
Hi Angela: What an experience. Every report is more interesting than the last. Just stay safe. Be very careful we want you back safely. We really enjoy reading about your experiences. Wish I hadn't been born so long ago. It sounds like something I could really enjoy. I almost had a Job in Ghana once. I'll tell you the story sometime. Enjoy the rest of your experience. Cheers. Doug and Joyce.
Re: Be careful on the boat
Doubles
Sorry about the double entry. I'm still getting used to this system. Doug.