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Beatrice is Leah’s sister and is the manager of the internet cafe. Today she was walking back from hassling Cybernet in order to get them started when a man asked her directions to a children’s hostel. She didn’t know where the hostel was, but the man persisted. She asked a passer by where the hostel was, and he told them. They all walked together some way and were talking. The first man told them that he was a priest. He then started to tell the second man that he knew he had problems. He told Beatrice also that she had problems. If they were to come together and pray they might be able to get God’s help in solving all their problems.

They sat down at the side of the road and prayed together. The priest started describing details of the problems of the second man, then revealed problems that Leah was having. Problems that Leah wouldn’t even know Beatrice knows. Beatrice felt a little scared by this mans apparent powers. The priest asked the second man what he had on him – a mobile phone and TSh150,000. He then asked Beatrice. She had nothing on her. He told her that in order to solve all the problems she would need to have equal possessions on her to pray over. Beatrice obediently returned to her house, got her mobile phone and her bank book, went to the bank and withdrew nearly all her money and returned to the men. They sat together and prayed further. Then they parted company. It was only after returning to the cafe that Beatrice remembered giving the priest the money and her mobile phone. She was very afraid that she had been bewitched, and didn’t tell anyone what had happened till the next day.

I think that Beatrice was subtly hypnotised by the two men. First they convinced her of their authenticity, then they convinced her that to solve the problems of all concerned she would need to bring money, then they tricked her into thinking they knew her secrets. Finally they took her possessions from her without her noticing for some time. Very odd. I have heard of one other person who this has happened to. If anyone knows anything about hypnotism please get in touch. It is very frightening for Beatrice not to know what happened to her. I think I have convinced her it wasn’t witchcraft which can still reach her, and that there won’t be any long term effects. I am no expert.

Still the prospect of getting the cafe online is being held tantalisingly out of reach. This time the delay is coming from CyberNet the ISP who just won’t give us any idea of when they will install their hideously overpriced hardware. So we end up sitting in the defunct cafe having to turn away customers and no one turns up. I am reaching the point of jacking it all in. Just so frustrating.

Went to a wedding send off party in Moshi last night. If you get married in Tanzania then you get at least two parties. The one last night included a bartering session between the two families where they decided on the bride-price. I think it is symbolic as the price ended up being TSh2000 (about $2) and a blanket for the parents and a kanga for the elder sister of the bride’s father. Maybe women are just cheap here :-0

The whole party lasted about 9 hours and a lot of beer was drunk. It was a bit hard to handle since the whole thing was conducted in Swahili, so I only had a vague idea what was going on, thanks to the nice woman who explained.

I have many photos, but as usual they are trapped on my camera, and I am unable to upload them.

Definitely planning a trip to either Mafia or Pemba to learn how to Scuba dive – I am in dire need of some physical activity. I have been sittting around waiting for people to do their jobs so much I fear I may be developing bed sores…

Kesho!

This wee chap was more or less nun-plussed by anything happening.

Not only was there a band playing in the street, but also wazungu wandering around with cameras. These kids went exstatic when I showed them their own pictures on the screen on my digital camera…

This time it is for the pre wedding party of Alfred’s daughter. This band was very enthusiastic…

Most of the time Meru is just a looming shadow in the background. At the right time of day though the sun hits it, and it looks like the monster volcanoe that it once was. A writer in the Arusha times asks the question “Why won’t it erupt?”

I really liked the walls in the bar, so I took a photo. Another background for me website…

It was really hot so we ducked into a little bar for some drinks. Looks like the heat had cooked our brains…

There was a tree trunk at the waterfall festooned with carved names. Ignoring the leave only footprints, take only photographs axim, I decided I had to make my mark.

This waterfall drops about 100 feet. Fantastic place that few wazungu go to. Kinyonga told me that Yuki was the first woman to visit it…