Well, unlucky for me that my planned regional flight from Dar-es-Salaam to Iringa did not go. My up-with-the-4.30am larks approach proved excessive and unnecessary. I had been looking forward to sharing with you the joy of a small plane and the low-flying vistas it affords: rivers snaking like strands of quicksilver in the early morning light and hill tops dotted with isolated rondavels that are birthed from the landscape. I was going to miss the type of flight where the captain turns round in his seat, eyeballs you and says something like “life vests are under your seat, you know the rest of the drill and when I’ve finished my notes we’ll get going”. I realised I shouldn’t have tempted fate and pictured myself seated in the front like a wannabe co-pilot. Despite what the booking system said my flight was neither delayed nor cancelled; rather, it simply was never part of the schedule. That accounts for the bemused faces at the local airport’s various job-creation check-in points. Each politely refraining from questioning my ticket, leaving that to the young man at the check-in desk with the expansive welcoming morning smile that gently morphed into a small and persistent frown. But we must look for the gift, and this presented a chance for me to exercise a characteristic that is somewhat under-exercised … patience. And to go with the African flow, or really the flow in any location where problems are sorted in a language other than your own and with systems knowledge of what is solvable but unknowable and uncommunicable to you. “Please take a seat and we will see what can be done”. “What can be done” included a call to HQ, some excitable negotiations, another ticket with an alternative regional airline, breakfast from the staff kitchen, a taxi transfer to another terminal, and being personally delivered to the check-in gate. You’ll be pleased that the tiny, feathered creatures packed in 7 cardboard trays were legitimately booked in and suffered no such delay. As for me, I was extraordinarily well looked after. 12 out of 10 for the Auric staff.
parrygraphs 
phew…..it turned out all good in the end. Looking forward when we catch up all about how it was you could book on a plane that never was! Enjoy the safari and look forward to further pictures. ☺ x
Yes, sounds strange. Some miscommunication somewhere along the line.
ooh patience… I fear I would have had a meltdown 😂
It’s an interesting process to sit while others sort out your problem. Hard to resist anxiety rising. 😅 xkx
what are the tiny feathered creatures?
Baby chickens. Peep peeping in their box.
So they will be distributed to several villages?
Hard to say. They will fly to one location and be picked up or taken to a poultry business. They call these ‘broilers’ over here and they will be a quick growing variety in contrast to the local ‘road runners’ that are slower but considered more tasty.
Oh no! What a wild twist to your early morning adventure ??
I could just picture you all geared up for that charming low-flying flight, ready to play co-pilot! What a bummer it never existed in the first place—but I love how you handled it with grace, humour, and yes… a healthy dose of patience (even if under-exercised ??)
Sounds like the Auric team truly went above and beyond. Breakfast, personal escort, and bonus problem-solving? That’s some serious VIP treatment! Also glad the feathered passengers made their flight without fuss—priorities, right? ??
Thanks for sharing this little travel tale—it gave me a good chuckle and a warm feeling. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your journey!
Big hugs,
zhen & Dwayne
Sent from Outlook for iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef ________________________________
Oh no! What a wild twist to your early morning adventure 😅
I could just picture you all geared up for that charming low-flying flight, ready to play co-pilot! What a bummer it never existed in the first place—but I love how you handled it with grace, humour, and yes… a healthy dose of patience (even if under-exercised 😉)
Sounds like the Auric team truly went above and beyond. Breakfast, personal escort, and bonus problem-solving? That’s some serious VIP treatment! Also glad the feathered passengers made their flight without fuss—priorities, right? 😂
Thanks for sharing this little travel tale—it gave me a good chuckle and a warm feeling. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your journey!
Big hugs,
zhen & Dwayne
They certainly went above & beyond. I have the return flight tomorrow and must remember to pass thanks on to those who assisted and up to management. xkx
Finally caught up with your epistles of observation described eloquently in Australian English!!! It certainly has been very dry and not over yet in the Northern Mallee. Many farmers dry sowed and without a decent rain (>10mm) germination will be patchy. We are both enjoying life and staying well. Enjoy your once again sojourn in Africa.
Tschüß Judy & Tony Meissner
Thanks Tony. Work has kept me busy this week. By now the mallee farmers have received some rain. 🤞 it was enough and also some follow up. xkx
already an adventure xx
haha. Why that’s a fantastic story. You did well to have Amy patience after that pesky and precise mosque speaker.
Sweet little thing and no qualms about just sucking up the soup! I’m back in Dar at the same hotel as previously … but requested another side of the hotel! I actually like the singing but the volume is astonishing. Like bagpipes, these musical endeavours should be at a distance.