Dala Dala and the Mountain

On our second day in Africa, we got to have our first Dala Dala experience. A Dala Dala is essentially a mini-van with about four rows big enough for 3 people, but generally fitting 4 and one row facing backwards to the rest of the bus. Our first ride had about 26 people on it, and I have seen them literally bursting at their seams with people hanging out the window and standing in the open door. Dada Gloria – an amazing woman with a bright smile who grew up on the mountain where she took us on this day – was nice enough take us and show us and our new friend Polly, a volunteer from England, on the trip. After two rides (clutching to our bags for dear life) and about 700 Tanzanian schillings (less than a dollar), we arrived at the mountain.

We began our mini-trek up the side of the mountain (the mountain being a foothill of Kilimanjaro) among gorgeous scenery of palm trees, banana trees, and coffee plants, and arrived a short time later out of breath and only a little sweaty ;). There, we saw Mama Lynn’s first children’s home. Next to it, we went in to see an elderly, bed-stricken woman. When greeting her, she wouldn’t let go of my hand, asking me to come on to her bed with her. Dada Gloria and the woman chatted, and then Gloria prayed for the woman. On her feet with eyes closed and hands out, she began to pray, becoming louder and more powerful with each word. By the end, she was shouting – the elderly woman, although barely able to move, had her hand out as well – what I can only assume was a prayer asking to eradicate the effects of the woman’s recent stroke. Looking over at Polly and Sara, I could see the tears in their eyes as well, all of us touched that Gloria, this bubbly lady full of laughter had so much passion and so much faith, and this, all for another person.

On the way down passing the river, Dada Gloria informed us that the people who lived up in this area had to fetch their water from the river twice a day, as their was no running water up there. We were amazed as the one trip without a bucket of water on our heads, was enough to wear us out. The Dala Dala ride back left us just like the trees and vegetation around the road going up the mountain – covered in dirt! Not minding the dirt, we enjoyed a Fanta Pineapple (DELICIOUS) at Mr. Price, the “Western” store located Boma, the town closest to Tudor Village.