On Saturday 2nd December, Annukka and myself set off for a weekend trip to Lindi. Chigo had invited us up to see where he leaves so we could get a better understanding of why he gets so home sick during the week. We took the local bus up which we thought would leave around 9, despite the bus running when we arrived it didn't leave until near 10 and using petrol the whole time it was standing waiting.
The road to Nnasi Mmoja was fine but after that with a lot of repairs taking place the road was very bumpy until Lindi, despite seeing good tarmacked road in patches. We arrived in Lindi with Chigo waiting to greet us at the bus station and hís close friend Hans with whose family we would stay with during on time in Lindi. Hans and his wife work as missionary workers in Lindi, the whole family speech a lot of different languages and their hospitality was very welcoming as well as their food.
We went to Chigo's place first of all to have some Pilau which his wife, Agnus made especially for us. It was really nice to see Chigo's young children running around the place but when they noticed us they became very quiet. After the delicious food we went for a small 30 minute African time walk around Lindi town. Where chigo lives is on a big hill which gives a great panoramic view of Lindi town and the bay. We made our way around starting with a lovely walk along the beach which for me is nicer than Mtwara as it allows people to walk along the beach with no rough or sharp stones sticking in peoples feet. We stopped to have a soda along the beach and ran into two Mzungus there. We continued shortly afterwards into town going pass the old German Boma which is in ruins, some of the building is falling down but still had something which made it a nice sight to see. The round building outside the Boma is maybe a watch town used years ago or perhaps a prison. We then made our way to the market where it is quite similar to Mtwara although a little smaller.
Lindi is a very old town and with the old buildings some of which in ruins and the beach it reminded me a lot of Mikindani but as it was pointed out to me Lindi's sea is cleaner as the people in Mikindani use the sea as their bathroom.
After this we made our way back up to the house which gave us some great views of Lindi Bay again with the sun setting. We ate some food with the family which was so nice, meatloaf and pasta, it is good to have a variety in food now and again away from Ugali.
The next day we went along with the family and Chigo's family altogether to church. Where Chigo and Agnus are very much involved in the service. Agnus was signing and Chigo giving the preaching part. The service was a nice mixture of people and a lot of signing which was nice to hear and see. After the service we all went to a local restaurant in town and had some food.
Some of the Wazungus from Mtwara where coming to Lindi for a day trip so we met up with them and we all went for a swim at a beach just outside of town, where it is much quieter and peaceful. We swam for a while and slowly made our way back to Mtwara in the evening time. It was a beautiful drive home as the roof of the landrover was down and the moon was full and shining very strongly.
Its strange that Lindi doesn't attract the attention as Mtwara does with a great beach to walk along, a small friendly and inviting town, maybe when the road from DAR is finished then tourism might grow.
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