After Iringa

Since our strenuous seven day stretch, road conditions have vastly improved and the weather has held off—until yesterday. Last night’s camp was easily the wettest on tour. During dinner, everyone huddled beneath a tarpaulin stretched from the truck. As we ate, we watched a river of rain flow along our feet and into several unlucky tents. Had they not been staked down, they would have certainly floated away.

As patches of sunlight fall on camp, many emerge from tents to hang clothing. We await the approaching storm clouds and ready ourselves to retrieve our clothes at the first raindrop. Everyday the rainy season cycle repeats itself—pouring rain, searing sunlight, puddles evaporating into clouds, a stroke of thunder and another dousing of rain.

Subtracting Kenya’s kilometers, today’s lunch marks the tour’s halfway point of 5,200km. Celebrations are planned for our next rest day, when TDA 2008 enters its fifth country—Malawi.