DAY 25: Mwanza Yacht Club to New Dodoma Hotel

 

Departure time

Riegardt’s Birthday! The usual coffee in the morning, tent-folding and yellow bag organising actions ensued while we waved goodbye at the overlander of fat Australians who we thought were on a weight-loss trip through Africa – at least they chose the right continent to do it in.  We guiltily giggled as they stretched and struggled to do push ups and sit ups, giving the appearance that they were rolling on the floor rather than exercising, each person trying to outdo the next.  Though anticipating a long, difficult road, we departed our camp site alongside Lake Victoria at 08:00.

 

Arrival time

We couldn’t have had any more warnings of the notorious Dodoma road undergoing restoration, with a 15km stretch of sandy road that was more enjoyable for the passengers than the driver.  Izel and I were thoroughly entertained when we deliberately refused to wear seatbelts so that every time we speeded over a bump, cooldrink in hand, we would fly off the seats, often hammering our heads on the bakkie roof, rendering the entire contents of Soek-soek coke-spattered.  The fun ended with the tar road, happily greeted by a war-torn Nico and sopping wet, sticky Elmien and the search for a leafy lunch spot began.  This task was slightly more difficult than we’d anticipated considering we were driving through arid land with nothing more than tumbleweed and thorn trees, though we managed to locate shade enough to protect our table for hamburgers better than Spur’s.  Thereafter we continued to the capitol city Dodoma where Suzie established herself as a slut to go with her many other titles when she led us through the dodgiest dark back lanes full of Nigerians and her fellow prostitutes before finally arriving at the New Dodoma Hotel.  Too lazy to set up camp we booked into the hotel for the night, keen for double beds and television, and after a reasonable supper to celebrate Riegardt’s birthday, we lost ourselves in the soft beds of the new hotel.

 

Weather conditions

Still hot

 

Campsite conditions

We were happy to note the hotel offered a gym and sauna, although none of us made use of the facilities, all too wrapped in the promise of hot water and catholic toilets - pleased to notice the absence of Muslim holes in the predominantly Arab city.

 

Personal

You must understand what it’s like for me as the only English person on our African expedition out of a group of Afrikaners.  My taal is more than satisfactory, although there are times when the ooms and tannies enquiries are beyond me, and I merely nod my head, regardless of whether or not it’s a yes or no question, hoping my innocent smile will explain the confusion.  Only until a few days ago did I realise a kremetart was actually a baobab and not the evening’s pudding, leaving me quite disappointed after every meal when my expectations weren’t met.  Nearly a month on the road has offered many instances where I’ve been lost in translation, although this day, when instead of singing veels geluk for Riegardt, Corinne led the others in a “Lekker verjaar” chorus.  I was very confused, though lucky for me there was lots of repetition in the liedjie for me to follow.