Through the Seasons

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

We have finally figured out how to get ourselves, our baby, our dogs, and our stuff to Mbeya from Dar, which is no easy feat! 

We know of no one making that trip around that time who we could ride with and because of how many of us there are now if someone was going they probably wouldn’t have room for us anyway.  We usually take a 16 hour bus ride but the dogs can’t go on the bus so that’s out.  Our car won’t be ours until June so that’s not an option either. 

So we hired a guy with a truck to take our stuff to Mbeya for us.  He should get there by the time we do so ideally when we get to Mbeya our stuff will be there waiting for us.  At worst, it will arrive shortly after.  That’s if we arrive on time ourselves.  The five of us are taking the train.  Our neighbors in Mbeya happen to also be taking the train the same time we are so we’ll all be together although we’ll each have our own sleeper compartments.

We’ve heard the train is both good and bad.  It’s much better than the bus because you’re not stuck in a seat for hours on end.  You can get up, walk around, use the bathroom, and get food from the restaurant on board.  (Unless they run out of food.)  The down side is that it’s hot, bumpy, and not always (or even usually) prompt.  (Of course the bus is also hot and bumpy – it just doesn’t last as long.)  The train ride should take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.  The best part, besides freedom of movement, is the view.  We’ve heard it’s beautiful so that’ll be a fun experience.  I’m actually somewhat looking forward to it.  If I’m going to be able to enjoy it. 

We leave Charlotte at noon on Saturday the 26th and arrive in Dar at 10pm on Sunday the 27th after 2 short layovers and over 20 hours of flying time.  There is a 7 hour time difference between NC and TZ right now.  We then take a taxi (actually a small bus due to the bulk of us and our stuff) from the airport to our friends’ house where our neighbors (who are taking the train with us) are also staying.  The next morning we will get up and catch the train that is scheduled to leave at 11am (but who knows when it will really leave).  After the 24-48 hour train ride we get a ride or taxi or something from the train station to our home in Mbeya.  Yes.  Our home.  Aahhhhh! 

With all that traveling and jet lag with it, I wonder what of the trip I’ll even remember.  We should have our cell phones set up before we get on the train and that should give us internet access so we should be able to keep you updated as we go – but – that is all yet to be seen.  It will be a long journey indeed but the end result will be worth it.  I’m so looking forward to setting up our home and getting settled in.