Good Wednesday Morning,
Sent on the journals wrote last night, have a few minutes and some photos selected, so will take you again on our road trip, this time focusing on the agriculture. As we covered kilometer after kilometer (1 km is approximately 2/3 of a mile) not only the view changed from highlands to flatlands to mountain ranges, but the agricultural offerings also changed.
Not far from Mwangaza, we began to see roadside stands and village markets with buckets and piles of tomatoes. Having Sharon include those regularly in our meals she prepares for us at the guest house, we know they are hearty and delicious. Probably more like those we know as Roma in size, shape and texture.
Once we reached the Pare Mountains, the fields were filled with rows and rows of sisal, usually planted in the geometric arrangement of having been "rowed" vertically, horizontally, and therefore diagonally, making cultivation and harvesting more convenient and efficient. The fibers from sisal are used for making baskets, bags, and ropes.
Next we saw a combination of corn fields, which seemed to vary greatly in "productive" potential, but within the same area were many oranges groves. In many villages, as vehicles were slowed to a crawl by the attention-getting speed bumps, young men ran alongside buses and cars, offering bags of oranges for sale. Note, I never said traffic stopped, only slowed. Also growing in that same area were many mangos and abundant passion fruit, also sitting in buckets in roadside stands and markets.
Our morning meeting should start momentarily, but will continue guiding you until folks arrive at the conference table.
Although Mike tried hard to get a photo of the young 'uns with chickens in a small crate or carrying them by their wings, none were in focus enough to tell what you are seeing. However, just like this boy with ears of corn, we often were speeding by youth who walked into the road and encouraged us to stop and buy their wares.
Here corn, equivalent to our field corn, is often enjoyed before it hardens/ripens and then ground into flour. Much like my grandparents, and even my folks, we did not have/plant sweet corn, but took corn from the field at the early stage to boil, cover with butter, salt & pepper. Here, the ears are slightly roasted over charcoal, sold to people walking by, who then eat from the ear as they continue on their way.
On down the road, as we neared the choice to turn south toward Dar or northeast toward John's home area, pineapples were stacked everywhere. We did stop on the return trip and have 2 very fresh pineapples in our pantry, to be savored soon.
And finally, although seen occasionally along the whole route, we saw bags of charcoal everywhere. May not seem an "agricultural product" at first glance, but this charcoal is the product of trees being burned. Charcoal is very much a common cooking fuel, along with wood of course. More people need more charcoal, so it was being transported and sold everywhere. Will send a couple more pix later of the challenges of transporting, but you can get a good idea by looking through the windshield as we are about to pass a bicycle, near our hotel in Dar, with (we counted) 9 bags of charcoal -- and somewhere in front, one man pedaling.
Since we have again arrived in Dar and at our hotel, will leave you again. But, since we promised "the road to Kisarawe", will return soon with our travels from Dar to Kisarawe Lutheran Junior Seminar and seminar activities shared with the teachers there.
Peace and love,
Mike and Sharon
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