“Field Trip” to the Morogoro Region

I had been a bit disappointed for not going on a field trip in Tanzania that I woke up last week with the determination of visiting some more of the rural areas in the country. I sure opened my eyes with that idea in mind and hence got out of my bed, threw somethings in my backpack, headed for the bus station and embarked in a three hours bus drive south from Dar es Salam to the Morogoro region. Yep, it felt quite good to go “backpacker style” just like when I was in college. What an awesome way to have my penultimate adventure on “Hadithi Yangu Tanzania”!!

My arrival to Morogoro bus station 

You might relate to this! An image that reminded me so much of my bus trips to the local towns of Colombia. Just wait a fraction of a second after the bus arrives and street vendors offering pretty much everything will surround the entire vehicle.  

As investigative as it could get, I decided to visit a traditional healer who lives in the Uluguro Mountains. Two and half hours hike and visit to the Waluguru people made this a very interesting trip. I certainly didn’t hike alone -- I am not that adventurous J -- but instead contacted a local NGO that uses funds from tourists to support development and conservation projects. Totally recommend it!

Meeting the traditional healer.

Having a conversation while learning how to play the “Bao Kiswahili” on the Mancala board. Bao is a traditional game that builds very good math and decision-making skills. Of course I bought a Mancala board for Manu and Kaia this week, it may help them!

The medicine that “cures everything, except for HIV/AIDS because it is a chronic disease”

An alternative to the Mancala board!   

 Visiting Soil cake makers. 

At Tsh 500 each, pregnant women are the main buyers of soil cakes, which are consumed to supplement with essential minerals the diet of the expecting mothers. (Kids are not allowed to eat them).

On the way back 

What I found on my return from Choma Village

The End.