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Published: April 30th 2006
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The girls left Lake Malawi a day ahead of me so I took off by myself to cross the border to Tanzania. The boat that took me from Mayoka Village to the town was a bit late so I had to pay a Mini Bus driver a few extra dollars to leave the bay area with his bus only 60% full (they do not leave a station until they have filled their van). I did this so I could get to Mzuzu sooner vs. later because I had to get another minibus from Mzuzu to the border (which closes at 5pm).
In Mzuzu, I jumped into a mini bus which was packed in with what felt like 80 people. After 3.5 hours, we made it to a small town where I had to switch to another mini bus to actually get to the border (not before banging my head something fierce on the rear hatch of the mini bus).
By the time I reached the border, it was almost 5pm. Luckily I crossed with little difficulty (other than a handful of tauts trying to get me to exchange money). Once I paid the $50 USD visa, I was accosted
Hail the President
The president of Comoros (a three island nationa located off the northeastern coast of Madagascar) was arriving at the hotel just as I was to go to the British Airways office. by a larger group of people wanting me to exchange money. I chose to exchange with a nice young guy who then helped me catch a mini bus to Mbeta (the lay over before making trip to Dar). He even helped me get the front seat of the mini bus which awarded me lots of room in an otherwise crowded vehicle. I handed out cookies to the other passengers and let the driver listen to my MP3 player as he drove.
After the sun set, we were about 1.5 hours from the border when a group of guys crambed onto the mini bus and I realized quickly there was a problem. Only a few minutes later, the driver pulled off the main road, went down a little dirt road and then made a quick turn into a police station. He yelled at the three guys, the sliding door opened and some police with their wooden clubs strolled out of the station. I realized the guys did not want to pay the fare, and after some yelling, the police made a bolt for the guys who then tried to flee. Everyone piled out of the van. I sat watching as
Night Out
I met this guy named Elias while walking around Dar and he invited me out that night. Along with his friend, they took me to all of the 'out of the way' spots outside of town....I was DEFINATELY the only white face around. 2Pac played on my MP3 Player. The police caught one guy and gave him a beating the likes of which the LA police dept. would have been proud of. The passengers all gathered around and watched. 15 minutes later we piled in the van again only to stop a few minutes later with a tire problem. It was now dark as I stood by the van as everyone piled out and people told me another van was needed. Shortly another van came and once again I was hustled into the front seat but this time next to a fat women. The ride was very long and we arrived at Mbeta around 9pm.
I was the last one in the mini van and when I stepped out into the dark of the Mbeta bus station, I fell into a two and a half foot hole (but luckily nothing was hurt or broken). I wanted to buy a ticket for the Scandinavian Bus to Dar but I was told it was sold out by some people hanging around the Scandinavian office. I knew they were lying so I planned to arrive early the next morning to buy a ticket when the
Serving up the laughs
Since I was the only white person around and everyone noticed me, I made myself stand out more by grabbing a tray and serving people at the tables. Here I pose with the actual waitress. office opened at 6am. The Millenium Hotel I wanted to stay at was full so I took the one next door for $6. It was crappy by I could not argue at that time. I got some food (fries and a soda) at the station and then hit the sack. Before nodding off, I realized the time zone had changed and luckily adjusted my clock so I could make the 7am bus to Dar.
I awoke, got to the bus station and who did I find there but Vicki and Charlotte (who spent the previous day in bed at a nice hotel watching movies). We took the Scandanavian bus to Dar (12 hours) where I left them (they headed to the YWCA) and I went to the Safari Inn which another traveler had recommended to me. I got a room with bed, fan and bathroom for around $15 per night. I had an Indian dinner, did some internet and hit the sack.
The next day I walked around town in the blazing heat, took in some sights and even made it to British Airways to set up my next flights. I had lunch at Garden City Grille (lovely) and met a few locals who invited me out later that night. I called one of them (Elias) and he took me out to the booneys to enjoy local pubs and food. I was the only white person for many kilometers. I awoke the next day at 10am and decided to head for Zanzibar. I quickly made it to the ferry (paid extra as I was told it was sold out) and who do I find on the boat but the girls!
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