• "Pole pole"

    2 januari 2021, Tanzania ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    Hmmpf. There was too much optimism involved after the great pause at Yefuka farm. At around 1430 I have to stop for some roadworks on a new bridge. In march this part of the road has still been in good shape. The temporary detour dam is not usable because after heavy rains it is partly washed away. They have just put new soil on top of the dam and I have to wait "20 minutes" until the caterpillar flattens the ground. After an hour the caterpillar begins its artistic maneuvers and in the middle of the dam one of its hydraulic pipes explodes. Bang!!! Ende Gelände! It blocks the whole path and only motorbikes as well as pedestrians are able to go around. A long waiting begins and after a while the construction site manager asks me if I have some 17, 18 and 19 mm wranches and nuts. They want to swap parts with a second caterpillar. I give them what they desire and watch the other guys preparing the new bridge's base. At 1600 I boil some water for coffee. At 1700 I pitch my camping chair. By now many people arrived on both sides of the river. We wait. I would have driven back the whole road if I hadn't given the construction guys half of my toolbox (actually it's Mario's) and if I had known what 20 African minutes mean in reality. Bsssssss. At 1900 the caterpillar moves again, fixes what had to be fixed and I can cross the river. The guys are pretty grateful for helping them out. I think they did a good job improvising on this issue! Night falls in and just about 1.5 km west of this bloody bridge I drive into the bush. Kenya has to be patient for just another day.Läs mer