dala dala

There is always too much to tell!!
So, Yesterday, Jonathan and I decided to be adventurous and get off the beaten path and away from the comfortable confines of our lil town where there are other travelers. We wanted to get out on our own with no guide or anyone to help us. This, we certainly accomplished!!! The night before we had gone out for drinks with all the peole we had met, and Jenn who had lived here for 7 months suggested we go check out a waterfall in a village called Marangu. We were all about it!!
We got up early, {which is getting easier and easier since we also go to be so early} Ate a lil breakfast at our hotel, and just went out into the day ready for an adventure. We knew that we would have to take a Dala Dala to get to where we wanted to go, so we went down to the bus station where there is a whole lot of dala dalas waiting to take off to all different locations.

A Dala dala is basically a VW bus, or a Nissan mini bus. Normal enough you might think...But let me prove you wrong. The inside has been gutted and put in are 4 rows. The last row is the longest which hold 4 people squished, and the other 3 rows area little smaller allowing for a teeny walk way along the door side of the bus, and 3 people cram onto those seats. Then there is the front seat where the driver sits, and 2 other passengers sit there too. The back side of the front seats faces the first row of the 3 people seat, and there are makeshift little fold down seats there, that 4 people cram into. After everyone is seated there are at least 4 people standing in the teeny walkway along the door!!!

Jonathan and I were lucky enough to get there with enough time to be crammed into the last row, and actually have a seat. Of course on or walk over to the bus stop, some young guy decided to walk with us, telling us where the Dala dals were, even though we could figure this out ourselves, and once we got one, he expected us to give him some money for helping us get there!! This is Africa!! Anywhere you go, people walk with you, and act like they are helping you, even though you never invited them to walk with you, nor did you ask for help, and then expect to get paid. It seems when Jonathan says to go away or that we are all set they keep on keepin on, and won't take no for an answer but when I get all stern on them, and basically wave them away with my hand they get the message. I don't think they are used to woman getting all fierce or something, but I am just not gong to put up with it!!!

After being crammed on the back of the dala dala for a little while we were finally off. The least amount of people jammed in was 24 adults, and the most we experienced was 30, which included children. The dala dala puts along somehow, and stops frequently along the route to let people on or off, and just when you think that not another soul could possibly fit, they squeeze their limbs in!! The ride was filled with the all to human scent of heat and muskiness, and my butt hurt from basically being propped up on the part of the seat that was over the wheel.

We made it to the village in about 35 minutes, and the ride cost us about 1.10$ us dollars. I am sure we will see more dala dala rides, especially here in Africa. With a price like that we cant pass it up! Even with the sweaty people and butt cramps!!!
Overall it was a wild experience, and I am glad we did it, after all, it is how all the locals get from here to there.

Once we arrived in the village of Morangu, we just had to pretend like we knew where we were going, because of course, the vulture boys pounced on us as soon as we stumbled out of the dala dala, walking alongside us, trying to tell us they would take us to the waterfall. I literally had to stop walking stand still, and give the evil eye to the guys, and tell tell them "Sitaki asante!!" in my sternest voice, which means "we don't want {your help} thanks!!". Finally they got the picture, and Jonathan and I actually had no trouble at all, as there were signs leading up the mountian mentioning the waterfall.

Morangu is a tiny village on the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, and is so lush and green and brimming with Banana trees. We had to hike up, and the ground was slippery mud since it had rained earlier...luckily we both wore sneaks and did not fall, although came close a couple of times. At the base of the mountain is where the village center is, which has some little shanty shops, a few small bars/restaurants, and an outside market of vegetables, shoes, clothes, and fabric laid out on blankets and women chilling out next to their goods. The hike up leads to all the tribes peoples homes, and we saw many woman either hiking up or down with their baskets on their heads to go to or from the market. All the people we passed were lovely and happy to see us, or maybe surprised. The hike up was so stunningly gorgeous, dewy and green. The people that lived there are not rich in money, but they are rich in scenery and beauty. They live in one of the most beautiful places ever!!

Once we made it to the waterfall we had to then go down a crazy stairwell of rocks and mud with all too handy bamboo railings to get to the best view. Jonathan and I were the only people there, and enjoyed our picnic lunch I had packed of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chips next to a swirling pool of water and the rushing sound coming from the waterfall.

Needless to say our day trip was amazing, and we cannot wait to have more off beaten path expeirences!!!
xoxoxoxo
Alicia Claire