Big bad city......

Church procession Sunday afternoon outside the hotel. (First Sunday in Advent, or just a parade for a parade's sake?!)
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After the most prolonged rainfall yet in Usangi (not the heaviest, but I don't think it stopped all night) I was ready at 6:30 to trek down the hill to catch the bus to Arusha.  Sadly the rain decided not to stop so I hung around until it stopped before heading down to the village where I caught the original bus which had been delayed as no one goes out in the rain (even me now!).

Got onto the bus and it very tentatively crawled down the mountains to the main road.  I don't think the word tentative is often applied to Tanzanian bus drivers.....!

Sokoine Road, Arusha, looking east. (Late afternoon, Sunday)
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The journey was fine and I got to Arusha in just over four hours, so not too bad.  Lots of baobab trees with bright green leaves and all the rivers were flowing fast and coffee coloured following a widespread night of heavy rain.

Got to hotel and started my long weekend of socialising - met a friend for a drink and then out to dinner with all the volunteers.  Ended up staying out late and dancing (??!) before heading back.  Our taxi decided not to swerve to avoid the puppy in the road.  I know they're street dogs and it's survival of the fittest, but it's still not very nice to watch.

Rooftops and Mosque, Arusha
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Friday: I needed a lazy day, so I had one! In fact, I got so carried away doing nothing that I didn't have time for my afternoon nap - how rubbish!! Met up with other volunteers (possible pattern emerging here...) and paid out safari organiser before a lovely meal out of town.

Saturday: After the exertions of Friday I needed a day to recover.  I thought Saturday..... must be shopping, so off we went to the Curio (local craft) market.  Spent lots of time and lots of money there.  Quite hard work being called in to look at everyone's little shop, but I got the hang of it.  I also got the hang of the haggling after watching my fellow volunteers demonstrate!

Clouds west of Mount Meru before sunset
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After lunch the Arusha Hotel swimming pool lured us to spend a lazy couple of hours wallowing and reading, away from the noise and dirt of the street. Oh, and I found the Italian ice cream shop so the city isn't all bad!

Another evening out with the volunteer gang.....

Sunday: Not so much open on Sundays (just like it used to be at home!) Slept late and missed hotel breakfast so headed to the Patisserie for breakfast and internet, where I managed to spend three hours updating this blog, uploading photos and emailing peo

Sunset from the hotel roof terrace (not a bad view for $5US a night!)
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A busy day for weddings and communions in town.  The wedding processions are colourful and noisy affairs - a convoy of cars, jeeps and open topped trucks with all the wedding party and guests, as well as a loud band playing jolly tunes on the trumpet and trombone.  Went to the pool (different one this time as the normal one has a broken pump) but being right next to the road meant that the novelty of the oompah music from the wedding processions soon wore off!

Went back to the hotel and saw a church procession going down the road - much singing and clapping !  Sat on the hotel roof terrace watching the woirld go by below as the light faded.  Mount Meru is still eluding me, but I haven't dragged myself out of bed early here as I did in Moshi.  Maybe Tuesday before safari.....

Full, or nearly full moon over Arusha
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Monday (today, 4th December)

Managed to get a few things done today, although it did take a lot longer than planned.  Got to the Post office and also to the bus depot where I booked my ticket for Dar Es Salaam (to catch the ferry to Zanzibar for Christmas).  At that point the rain started so we lost half an hour sheltering from the downpour.

We then went to visit one of our volunteer colleagues at her current project. It's a special learning centre for children with special needs (such as Down's Syndrome, severe autism, brain damage).  We met the children and played and sang together before buying some of the Christmas cards they had made last week.  A really lovely hour was spent there and it was good to visit another volunteer project and see our colleague so happy in her work there.

Heading back to the hotel shortly as the rooftop terrace (and its bar) are calling me. I also need to pack up my bag for our 8:00 departure to Tarangire National Park tomorrow morning.......

Next update will include animals!