We have finally arrived in Dar Es Salaam to await the birth of our daughter. We left Geita last Thursday for Mwanza, and on Friday I had a doctor's appointment there. Everything is looking great. Baylor seems to be on her way out and Dr. Beatrice guessed that I would deliver a week early. I realize that is a complete guess and probably she has no real way of knowing, but I can hope! We spent Saturday and Sunday running errands in Mwanza before we left on Monday morning.
Monday we drove 9 hours to Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania. It is a common mistake to think that Dar is the capital, as it is both the largest city and where the president lives and all the embassies are. However, Parliament meets in Dodoma, and for reasons unknown to me (though I think it has something to do with the city being more centrally located), it is in fact the capital. Anyway, I learned this trip that driving 9 hours while 8 1/2 months pregnant is entirely different from driving 9 hours at any other time. The roads from Mwanza to Dodoma are actually quite good; they're all paved except for about an hour-and-a-half stretch. But driving on paved roads here is still just not the same. For example, they love speed bumps in Tanzania. Speed bumps of all sizes, shapes, colors, locations. They just simply adore them. Which is why, in the middle of nowhere, you'll be driving 70 miles an hour and Oh! a speed bump! And you hope that either there is a sign to warn you of said speed bump or you could see it from far enough away to slow down so that your car does not get too much air time. No matter how slow you're driving speed bumps are not pleasant in our 12 year old beast of a car. And speed bumps are not good for pregnant women.
But anyway, speed bumps aside, we made it to Dodoma and were able to spend the evening and stay with our Swiss friends, Rueben and Sara, and their daughter, Aleah. Here is Brett practicing his parenting skills with Aleah. He's the duck.
Tuesday morning we got up and headed to Dar. This drive was only a little over 5 hours, which is better than 9, but even so, we were really happy to finally get here. We're staying in Dar with our friend Kate, who teaches at a Christian school here, and her new roommates, Austin and Amy, also teachers and fairly newly married as well. An interesting situation, but the house is enormous (I think think there are 4 living rooms), and we're grateful to to have a free place to stay and friends to spend time with. So far we're enjoying ourselves, despite the oppressive heat (I'm not sure any of you have ever really experienced what hot actually feels like, I know I hadn't until 2 days ago--maybe people from Nevada? or the Sahara?). 
I am just glad you didn't drive to Nairobi from Mwanza. Worst road in the world is from Tanzania border to Nairobi! 3 years ago it was like a paved road that giant meteors hit all over the place. The taxi driver and most others apparently decided driving on the dirt shoulder was better and therefore created their own side road. Still bumpy but not near as bad, but terribly dusty. It lasted at least 2-3 hours like that. AWFUL!
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it safe and good luck with Baylor's arrival!