Wednesday 9th September and i was up early as i had a long day ahead of me, the bus journey to Iringa was 10hrs and i had no idea what to expect.
I packed all my stuff up and waited downstairs for Geoffrey to arrive to take me to the bus station ready for my trip to Iringa. Geoffrey stopped a rickshaw (tuk-tuk) to drop us off at the station, how we would manage to get my cases and 3people in this thing was beyond me, but it happened and it worked and i held on for dear life, because transport in Africa waits for no-one and whether i was half hanging out or not, the rickshaw just kept on going at whatever speed it felt necessary.
As we arrived we got the bus depot it was something i had never seen before, hundreds of people getting on buses getting off, waiting around and then in between all of this, there were adults and children walking around with buckets of drinks, nuts, snacks trying to sell everything and anything. As i took my seat on the bus i had someone bang on the side of the bus and held this tray of drinks in my face telling me to buy, i shook my head with a smile and said no thank you before he walked off and another banged the side of the bus with his fist, i simply looked away as i could see this happening for the next 30mins until the bus left.
The bus was so dark and hot from the tinted windows and the tight spaces, it was completely full and not a spare seat in sight, the windows were open and all that came through was a very dusty warm breeze.
Finally the bus started up and it was time to make my way to Iringa, so i sat back and just watched the world go by through the window as that very same warm and dusty breeze covered my face and i just gazed at the people of Tanzania pass me by. There were women carrying baskets full of bricks or vegetables on their heads, children carrying babies on their backs and that smell in the air that was made up of street food, burning trees, wet mud and pollution. This is what i had waited so long to be a part of, this is Africa and i don’t think i would have wanted it any other way, i could never describe in words the feeling of watching the locals going about their day to day business, watching people on the side roads in the middle of nowhere selling drinks and nuts in the most random places, mud-huts and peoples homes in the middle of the desert and goats and cows wondering the side streets. It was all a lot to take in but every minute i experienced from that bus window was absolutely amazing, from only ever seeing such life from a television screen to finally be part of it, i couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Finally 4hours into the journey the bus driver stopped off for 5mins whilst i was able to jump off and stretch my legs before having to climb back into the bus, wasn’t long enough but i would sooner have got to Iringa than hanging around so i was happy the stop was so short. As we drove along we drove past one of Iringa’s National Parks and i got to see elephants, zebra’s and giraffes in their own natural habitat, it was truly amazing to witness that but of course i was not quick enough to take out my camera and capture the moment, but just spotting the wildlife was an experience in itself.
18.50 and 10hrs later i finally arrived in Iringa, i was greeted by Ino who is one the co-ordinators who helps volunteers make the most of their time and i was so happy to have finally reached my destination and be able to set up camp for the next 2weeks.
My experience so far in Iringa has been incredible, the people are fantastic and so friendly and loving every minute of it and my next blog i cannot wait to share with you my first real day in this phenomenal town.
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