Day 64

Today started with a generous serving of bacon, which I believe is hands down the best way to start any day. This is true everywhere, but particularly in Tanzania where we’ve eaten hardly any pork, much less bacon, in weeks. Our hearty English breakfast was also the perfect follow up to my restful night in a king sized bed. We capped off our luxurious morning with a trip to the Genesis Inn snake park, where we wandered around the tanks and learned which Tanzanian snakes possess venom that can kill you within 30 minutes. Take my word for it and stay away from those black mambas. We also saw some turtles and crocodiles, and a pen full of scared, shrieking guinea pigs awaiting slaughter. I really identified with one of the crocodiles because he and I are both 24. He was my crocodile twin, so to speak.

After we hit the road, our day became notably less exciting. We drove through Mikumi national park for the 5th and final time, and saw some more zebras, giraffes, impalas, buffalo, and elephants. I have to say, I feel pretty lucky to have seen elephants every single time we passed through the park on this trip. I came to Tanzania with two goals: to see elephants and to find human remains. By some miracle I was able to accomplish both. Reflecting on our amazing animal luck made the rest of the five hour drive to Dar es Salaam a lot more tolerable, although no less hot and cramped. As with the last time, Killindo and Philliminus stopped every so often to pick up produce and other goods from vendors along the road. By the end of the trip, I was wedged in between tomatoes and baskets, trying to avoid the pieces of charcoal that fell from the roof and into the back window. It didn’t help that we were unable to find anywhere to stop for lunch because of Ramadan, and had to wait to eat until 4:30 pm. However, we made it here safe and sound, which is all that matters.

Today is Katie and Chris’ 5th wedding anniversary, so we decided to celebrate after we checked into our hotel and cooled off with cold showers. After getting curry at the Jambo Inn and coffee at the Movenpick, we set off to the rooftop restaurant and bar at the Kilimanjaro. Although the hotel is too expensive for the likes of us, we’d been there once before for my birthday and enjoyed watching the sun set on the Dar es Salaam harbour. Today we were able to eat outside and really appreciate our surroundings. Also, they had mini guacamole burgers on the menu which could single-handedly make a person believe in a greater good. Although we wished our team mate could be at home with her husband, we tried our best to be suitable replacements. Katie and Chris have now spent 4 out of a total 5 of their wedding anniversaries apart because Katie is pursuing this crazy dream of ours in Tanzania. We’re all sorry that she’s not at home celebrating, but I understand her rationale for being here. Fortunately, her husband does as well. Also fortunately, our return to Dar es Salaam means that the end is very near. We’ll be home in 10 days, after we’ve secured our export permits and picked up our final souvenirs. It’s closer than you think!