When it rains, it pours! This was very true last week in Dar es Salaam! And just to give you a bit of "a day in the life of me" here goes...
I left home early last Wednesday morning with some rather heavy bags full of beeswax products, ready for Upendo wa Mama's first time at the Artisan Fair. The flight was delayed and that was just the beginning... it began to seem rather like if anything could go wrong, it would go wrong!
On Thursday I went with Rahab and Anjelita from the Under The Same Sun office to the mamas group. We were over an hour late leaving to drive the three hours out to Mama Happy's home where they meet to work. I was disappointed to lose some of the precious time I had with them but it was wonderful to see them again! They had made well over a hundred balms and many beeswraps since my last visit, and we continued the work. Things then became rather difficult as the heavy rains started but we huddled inside together and managed to keep working. Then the power went out, which stopped the beeswraps production. Persevere and change the plan … lotion bars. We finished our balms and bars and sat together to talk.
When it was really past time to go, I learned that while it is easy to get out of the city in an Uber taxi, it is nowhere near as easy to get back! There are no drivers out there! It was a very long time before we managed to get a driver not to only come, but also to find Mama Happy's house! When it finally did arrive, I was carrying a box of just-made lotion bars out to the car, trying to keep them dry in the rain. The ground was awash in rain and mud and … you already know what was going to happen. Splat! I was lying in the mud, but … I saved the lotion bars! Wet and muddy, I was in the Uber taxi and on the way to meet someone I had arranged to talk to about small industry workshops. About 20 minutes down the road, we ran out of fuel … so waited in the car while the driver walked off in the rain to find some. One wonders if things can get any worse. Then we finally arrived for the meeting only to realise that the organization has two offices, and we were at the wrong one. By now we were in rush hour traffic and it was time to give up and go back to my little guesthouse as darkness descended for a very late and much-needed kuku na chipsi (chicken and chips).
The Artisan Market was certainly a huge challenge in the rain. The ground beneath the table was soggy, making it very difficult put anything down. In front of our table was a small river, which meant that anything that dropped or fallen from the table was instantly ruined in the mud. It was also a very new experience for the mamas and a challenge as most customers spoke English, not Swahili. Yet, despite the terrible weather and challenges, many people still came and we managed to sell a good number of products! It was just wonderful for the mamas to see, for the first time, people showing interest and praising the products, people buying the things that they had made! They were encouraged and delighted! And so despite the weather, and despite the fact that we took more home than I would have liked, I had to say it was so very worth it!
Then we were told there was a plane … so we could finally check in at 8:30pm. By this time I was really tired and feeling so very ready to be home. I went to check in and discovered that I had been booked on the morning flight (6AM!) and so had already missed it anyway. Oh my! So I was back out through customs and over to a ticket office to try an sort something out, rather lacking confidence of anything working out well with no ticket and a full flight the next morning. Now over these long hours sitting in limbo I had rather bonded with some lovely Canadians on their way to Mwanza. One of them so kindly came out with me to keep me company as I tried to make a way to Mwanza, while the others waited for us on the other side. Such a kind thing to do. Truly troubles are easier when shared! Miraculously there were two seats left, and after a grimly apprehensive 20 minutes, I was back through to check in!
Now we were all feeling more positive that we were all checked in and had heard that a plane had arrived. But upstairs it was a very different story. There actually was no plane. There was no way we would be leaving at 10:30pm. In fact, by now (9pm), if the plane had not left the airport it was arriving from, it would not be able to come tonight. But just wait here in case, they said! And so we waited. And waited. In the end we did make it into Mwanza. And by 2am on Monday morning, thanks to a very kind Simon Ewing who got out of bed to come and pick me up, I was home!
But my grumbling about the rain and delays must be put in perspective. It was easy to feel tired and fed up, but the reality of the rain was very different for many others. This rain in Dar es Salaam, coming from the same weather system that was so devastating in Mozambique, has created havoc in the city. Roads flooded. Homes destroyed. Lives lost. Hard and tragic reality.
Yet while realising that others are suffering far more terribly than me, as the following week went on and things got increasingly busy, a kind friend reminded me that it is still ok to admit when things are tough! And even when things feel overwhelming and exhausting, when my body is physically rebelling, when nothing seems to be working and I just want to drop everything and cry… its ok to admit it and find rest! Which I did this morning. I wanted to laugh at my crazy week … but even though it still doesn't feel funny or fulfilling yet, I'm ready to go again! And I'm sure my story will be funny soon!
I left home early last Wednesday morning with some rather heavy bags full of beeswax products, ready for Upendo wa Mama's first time at the Artisan Fair. The flight was delayed and that was just the beginning... it began to seem rather like if anything could go wrong, it would go wrong!
On Thursday I went with Rahab and Anjelita from the Under The Same Sun office to the mamas group. We were over an hour late leaving to drive the three hours out to Mama Happy's home where they meet to work. I was disappointed to lose some of the precious time I had with them but it was wonderful to see them again! They had made well over a hundred balms and many beeswraps since my last visit, and we continued the work. Things then became rather difficult as the heavy rains started but we huddled inside together and managed to keep working. Then the power went out, which stopped the beeswraps production. Persevere and change the plan … lotion bars. We finished our balms and bars and sat together to talk.
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| Lip Balms in the making |
While eating my kuku na chipsi, I read my email which said that because of the torrential rains and terrible forecast, the Artisan Market (an outdoor event scheduled for the Saturday) was giving full refunds to anyone who wished to pull out. Oh dear. But after all the hard work that had gone into this, we were committed! Work would carry on through Friday and we would be there whatever the weather on Saturday! And here is a clip of the journey back to Mama Happy's early on Friday morning!
The Artisan Market was certainly a huge challenge in the rain. The ground beneath the table was soggy, making it very difficult put anything down. In front of our table was a small river, which meant that anything that dropped or fallen from the table was instantly ruined in the mud. It was also a very new experience for the mamas and a challenge as most customers spoke English, not Swahili. Yet, despite the terrible weather and challenges, many people still came and we managed to sell a good number of products! It was just wonderful for the mamas to see, for the first time, people showing interest and praising the products, people buying the things that they had made! They were encouraged and delighted! And so despite the weather, and despite the fact that we took more home than I would have liked, I had to say it was so very worth it!
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| When the rain eased! |
I went to bed rather late and very tired that night! But all sorted and packed up for my early departure in the morning. I went with my friend, Ester Rwela, to the 7am service at Victory Christian Centre and then enjoyed chai with her before heading to the airport. And as it would be, my trip would end in a similar vein to its entirety. I cannot even put into words all that happened at the airport from when I arrived at 3pm for my 6pm flight. The plane was delayed, but reports kept changing as to why that was and when it would take off. As all the Mwanza passengers sat in the check-in area between customs and departures, we were told 7pm. Then it was no, check in at 8pm as it would leave at 10pm. Then we heard it would be the following day. Maybe. Or maybe 10:10pm. Then 10:20pm. Then 10:30pm. But there was no plane. And we couldn't even check in and get to the lounge where we could get some food and water! Then we heard that the morning flight was full, so if we didn't make it out that night, it would be the following evening. With Tim away in Kigoma, it was all a bit confusing as I tried sort out an airport pickup for an unknown arrival time, while also making sure the girls could stay with very kind friends and they could get to school the next day.
Then we were told there was a plane … so we could finally check in at 8:30pm. By this time I was really tired and feeling so very ready to be home. I went to check in and discovered that I had been booked on the morning flight (6AM!) and so had already missed it anyway. Oh my! So I was back out through customs and over to a ticket office to try an sort something out, rather lacking confidence of anything working out well with no ticket and a full flight the next morning. Now over these long hours sitting in limbo I had rather bonded with some lovely Canadians on their way to Mwanza. One of them so kindly came out with me to keep me company as I tried to make a way to Mwanza, while the others waited for us on the other side. Such a kind thing to do. Truly troubles are easier when shared! Miraculously there were two seats left, and after a grimly apprehensive 20 minutes, I was back through to check in!
Now we were all feeling more positive that we were all checked in and had heard that a plane had arrived. But upstairs it was a very different story. There actually was no plane. There was no way we would be leaving at 10:30pm. In fact, by now (9pm), if the plane had not left the airport it was arriving from, it would not be able to come tonight. But just wait here in case, they said! And so we waited. And waited. In the end we did make it into Mwanza. And by 2am on Monday morning, thanks to a very kind Simon Ewing who got out of bed to come and pick me up, I was home!
But my grumbling about the rain and delays must be put in perspective. It was easy to feel tired and fed up, but the reality of the rain was very different for many others. This rain in Dar es Salaam, coming from the same weather system that was so devastating in Mozambique, has created havoc in the city. Roads flooded. Homes destroyed. Lives lost. Hard and tragic reality.
Yet while realising that others are suffering far more terribly than me, as the following week went on and things got increasingly busy, a kind friend reminded me that it is still ok to admit when things are tough! And even when things feel overwhelming and exhausting, when my body is physically rebelling, when nothing seems to be working and I just want to drop everything and cry… its ok to admit it and find rest! Which I did this morning. I wanted to laugh at my crazy week … but even though it still doesn't feel funny or fulfilling yet, I'm ready to go again! And I'm sure my story will be funny soon!