This is probably not the most exciting travelogue update that I've ever made, but then again, it hasn't been the most exciting week either! Basically, I've been waiting in Dar Es Salaam for a package to turn up from England with my new tyres and inner tubes. I suppose I could have gone over to Zanzibar for the week, but I've walked on a thousand beaches before and will probably walk on another thousand in the future. I've never spent a week being mind numbingly bored before though, so this is an important first for me. Life is about experience, the ups, the downs, and the in-betweens, so I thought I'd give being bored a go !!

Day 225  Dar Es Salaam   Sun  04/03/07

The next few days are likely to be a repeat, so here it is in brief... slept, ate, bought newspaper, read newspaper, used internet, ate, slept, used internet, ate, slept.

Day 226 Dar Es Salaam   Monday 05/03/07

I spent most of the day in the internet cafe, (you know, that one called the Hotspot in the JM Mall building on Samora Avenue), as I could use Skype to phone England and place the order for my tyres and inner tubes. Skype has been a real godsend on this trip. I can phone almost any landline in the world for less than a penny a minute, which saves heaps when you consider that some international calls can cost 2 USD a minute. Anyway, the upshot of it all, is that I have ordered two new tyres and six inner tubes from a company called sjscycles.com for a total inc of P+P cost of 148.00 pounds. Ouch. Still, not a lot I can do about it, and i WILL finish this trip to Cape Town no matter what. In War of Empires, I currently hold the Plunderer title.

Day 227  Dar Es Salaam  Tuesday 06/03/07

Slept, ate, used internet. Had an email from SJS giving me a tracking number for my parcel.
My parcel is currently in - International Hub.
So thats clear.
Visited the museum, ate, used the internet. In the evening, I got a knock on the door, and two Aussies said 'Hi'. They'd been reading my travelogue, and knew where I was staying. I'm so famous now that I get stalked !!! Seriously, they were sound people, and also cycling through Africa, having started in Addis Ababa and will finish in Cape Town. Their site is www.biking4bikes.com.au, why not check it out?? Like me, they were also waiting for a package, although they had to go up to Arusha the next day to collect theirs. They also shared my opinion of Ethiopians, so at least I know it's not just me now! Perhaps our paths will cross again in the next two months... who knows??
War of Empires - Still hold the Plunderer title.

Day 228  Dar Es Salaam    Wednesday  07/03/07

So, here's my daily routine.
1. Buy breakfast from supermarket.
2. Eat breakfast whilst using internet for two hours.
3. Buy newspaper.
4. Go to Florida Pub. Read newspaper, drink Guinness, and eat pepper steak.
5. It's all a bit tiring... Go back to hotel and have a siesta.
6. Back to the internet cafe for two hours.
7. Buy something to eat from supermarket, and a DVD from shop next door.
8. Go back to hotel, eat, watch films. It's time for bed now !!!

Parcel Status - International Hub
War of Empires - Plunderer at 15,878,636 gold

As you see, life is pretty full.

Day 229  Dar Es Salaam    Thursday 08/03/07

Same routine.
Parcel Status - Left country of origin.
War of Empires - Plunderer at 16,921,762 gold.

Day 230   Dar Es Salaam    Friday  09/03/07

Same routine.
Bought Van Damne 7 in 1 DVD. I would prefer to have bought a Steven Seagal (the Master) DVD compilation but it was sadly unavailable. Van Damne films can be entertaining through their shear nonsense, and strange fixation of having a twin brother, but lack the underlying genius of a Steven Seagal film. If anyone is in doubt, check out On Deadly Ground, probably the Masters greatest work to date.
Parcel Status - Left country of origin.
War of Empires - Plunderer at 17,989,378 gold.

Day 231  Dar Es Salaam   Saturday  10/04/07
Same routine. The barman now gets me a Guinness without even having to be asked. Oh dear, I have become a regular.
Swapped Van Damne film for Nicholas Cage compilation.
Parcel Status - Now in Dar Es Salaam.
War of Empires - Plunderer at 18,808,397 gold