Dar-Es-Salaam

Wake up. Gritty eyes, dry mouth. Feel mattress - a hotel - no dorms left at backpackers hostel. Paid too much. Must have inclusive breakfast at all costs. Clean teeth in brown water. Find soap - size of postage stamp. Go to fill bath. No Plug. Stuff toilet paper down plughole. Bits of tissue float in water. Get out of cold bath. See plug in corner. Look in mirror. Patchy pigment on face. Flea bites wake up on legs. Neck stiff. Pillows like bricks. Early morning crows mock. Go to bag for clothes. Sand everywhere. Only uncreased t-shirt fails sniff test. Open door. No breakfast. Order card still hanging on door. Greeted by others' leftovers. Press button next to lift - nothing. Creep downstairs in kanga. "Si jui kama breakfast chini in restaurant or juu in roomy?"

Man looks perplexed. Breakfast finished. Return to room. Tempted by half-eaten toast. Ants think it's tasty. Must get flight today - no more money. Walk into town. Air Tanzania - cash only. Ask way to Kenya Airways office. Man tutts. "mbali sana." Walk two miles. Tummy rumbles. Need water. A million hands point to hanging fabrics. Pass cemetery. Read notice. "Death occurred today." Manic laughs bubble from throat. Get stitch in side. Madness struck. Heavy sun strangles breath. Feet blistered. Flip flop breaks. Passing lorry driver leers. Kenya Airways flight today. Heart lifts. American Express sign in window. Access won't do bloody nicely.