Dar es salaam - Amsterdam

Darkest before the dawn? Sounds about right. I'm stuck in the largest Tanzanian city till my flight takes off for Toronto. Zanazibar is just a few killometers away. I should be back here in 3 weeks. Believe me, you're not missing a lot here. I'm excited for Zanazibar though. Stone Town, Zanzibar's main city, should be quite amazing.

Got stuck without a place to stay my first night in town. A few sisters were nice enough to put me up for the night in this convent.

I love Amsterdam, but the weather was so gloomy I decided to turn my camera's colour setting to black and white with green highlights.

10 years later, I'm back for the good stuff.
And another round!

More Naughty Nile

Here are some extra pictures I was able to get on the following day.


Some random group. This was taken at the base of the camp site. While not the best drop of them all, it tipped a few boats.


Paulo, our guide, intentionally tips them in a second.


That guy is totally not paying attention to what's gonna hit him in a second.

Uganda

This white water Class V rapid is called "The Bad Place". Our boat survived most of the rapids, including the dreaded 50-50. Half the boat opted not to see this one through. The boys got off, the men climbed in, and the carnage ensued. Any cockiness was swiftly dealt with and crushed by the "washing machine". After getting tossed like a rag doll, I was dragged underneath 3 times and managed to free myself. Another Canadian, Kevin, decided to bull ride the boat until it tossed him clear into the rocky bank. I should have some sweet video uploaded soon!

Great for some tasty waves and a cool buzz! The "Dead Dutchman" was recently added around the Retrospect rapid. Poor guy didn't bother scouting the fall first. Most of these rapids are getting stronger as the dam is diverting extra water through the river.
Green: live grasshoppers with legs ripped off so they can't move.
Brown: Fried grasshoppers also sans flippers
Making friends
Rolled Egg Chapati's street style.
Chips & Chicken: 2000 USh, about $1.30 CAD
German regge band called Jamaram. We randomly caught up with them at a jam night in Kampala.
Transport
Golf, Ugandan style.
Don't attempt the course without a caddy. The 3rd hole tee block is actually the 15th or the 7th, depending on which way you're shooting! Mind the cows, goats, and ball snatchers. You will get ripped off at the bar and non-members are 10,000 not 40,000 shillings. Enjoy!

The source of the Nile is just around the corner.
Mulligan MondaysOpen air showers by the campsite.Nile River Explorers in Jinja.
Make sure you shower at least once during the sunset.

Insane local taking a bath in the rapids. This one is called "The Flying Squirrel". I may or may not have ejected on this one.

Water! Part 2

Dan the man!
Timmy Hoebangers
Got the tank up !!!
Open concept.
Every time they see a car its play time.
Back to town for parts.
Arial view of G.C.H.H. from the tower
More plumbing
Almost dropped the tank on the orphans below! That would've sucked.
Tallest tower in town!
Top view
Julius and Esa

Towersman
One of the twins looking for soap.
Ripped his hand while playing with shards of sheet metal. They don't have anything soft to play with here so its metal and nails.
The boys putting the finishing touches to the tank.
Just in time for supper!

Water! Part 1

Bought new materials for the water tower. Got friends and family to donate some cash towards this project. Took us 8 hours to visit 3 shops. I don't know if its just that my eyes have more time to take in the scenery or the water but I swear the colours here seem brighter and stronger than back home. Car paint powering through rust, dust and dirt, the bright red earth, even the rundown shops all seem to have a freash coat of pain on. Maybe its the Malaria drugs kicking in.

Current water supply

Working for the weekendSketchy Service. Sketchy Prices!

Mina

This tower will be able to hold 2300 Liters of water. This should provide about 30L per kid per day. Thats way more than they presently use . The storage provides a continual supply of water when the well doesn't perform.

Hot Chip

The kids don't react to all the steel coming in but as soon as they see the dirty cracked second hand sink I bought they go balistic!

I'm going full luxury here with a shower head.

Welding the steel beams

The tower is taking shape.

Hot day

A working guitar in Kenya....unheard of!

Guitar licks.

Taking lessons from the pros.

This one cracks up every time I look at her. Caught her not smiling.

More welding

Freshly painted tower gets hoisted up. Five adults and 15 kids on hopes

Concrete pouring time.