Day with Tino - cont'd

We took a longer route back to the bike rental guys and had a blast chatting with the locals along the way. We stopped to have a typical African lunch at a roadside garden bar (ugali or rice with chicken...and a Kilimanjaro beer!) with Tino and then were off to finish our batik designs.

Batik-making shop:



Marisa signing the batik piece that she and Walt had done together:


Ironing Mark's design:


With our new 'masterpieces' in hands, we asked the guys running the business if they might like to hire us and let's just say, I don't think we should hold our breath on that one! But, it was a great experience and we have something special to take home as a remembrance of the day.

Tino took us through the local market where most Arushans buy their fresh vegetables, grains, fish, meat, fruit, etc - a bustling place filled with vendors with little space to move around. It is nothing like the farmer's markets at home. But, I would love to have something like this close to home. The spices provided a wonderful aroma to a hot and stuffy environment. The smell of fried talapia and dahka filled the area where fresh fish was sold. The mango and avocado looked ready for peeling and eating...and all were very inexpensive.

Alas, it was time to say goodbye to Tino as we still had to shower and pack before heading off on our flight from Kilimanjaro airport to Amsterdam (via Dar es Salaam). Meeting Yusuf and Tino has made this trip a little extra special...giving us the opportunity to see and do things we might never have done. For that, we will be forever grateful. And thankfully, we have exchanged information and have promised to stay in touch with our newfound friends.