Contradiction

Here we are in Dodoma and outside in the scorching sunshine of our garden, my thermometer reads 39'C.

Inside my lounge, it reads 30'C.

It is hot, hot, hot and so dry and oh-so-dusty!

However, in my mind, I am gearing up for our very exciting trip to England for Christmas, where the weather will be anything but hot, dry and dusty. It will be more like freezing cold, wet and muddy! Conscious that we no longer possess the clothes for such a contrasting climate, I went off to Saba Saba second-hand market in hunt of some warmer gear.

Despite the sweat trickling down our faces and the sun burning us overhead, Saba Saba market seemed to have a wealth of extra-warm winter clothing! It baffles me how such warm clothing ends up in such a hot place as Dodoma! I can't imagine how stall sellers could gain a profit selling wolly hats, gloves, coats and scarves in the sweltering African climate of Dodoma, but there I was unearthing some nice, cozy clothes ready for England! :-)

Here are my bargains, as modelled by the mini-Parkers: a hat for Joel (he just loves the novelty of a fluffy hat!!), 2 sweaters for me (a very appropriate name for these items when I tried them on outside at a Dodoma market stall!!), a winter coat for Esther and one brand new item- a nice bright scarf for me to wear. The colour will remind me of the blue skies of Africa whilst I enjoy the change of weather under the grey Lancashire skies!