Edward Michaud Health Center

this is one of the nicest toilets here.



















Me and the head doctor in front of the Edward Michael memorial- he founded the clinic.













This is one of the most interesting and beautiful health clinics I've visited.










So many different colors and patterns.

Zanzibar 2

Zanzibar

I road a 3 hour ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zazibar and back again.














Bahari Beach - little bungalos of heaven.



























I met Jenn and and Aaron (from Atl/Emory) and Aaron's mom at Bahari beach. Aaron and Jenn are also in Tanzania doing research.











One of the many alleyways of Stonetown in Zanzibar. This is actually a wide one.

FM Academia and equal opportunity groove

Last night I met my friend Ponsiano and his fiance and we went to Club Brake Point for drinks and goat and then we headed over to another club to see the band FM Academia! They are incredible live. I've been hearing about them for awhile- they are famous here in Dar es Salaam and throughout Tanzania. They are a huge band- drummer, guitar, congo drums, bass, and then about 5 guys and 5 women who sing and dance. The dancing and music were incredible- equally good.

One thing that made me very happy was that the men danced just as much as the women. The women were up on stage in tight outfits shaking their hips and dancing very sensually- including a much utilized move where they turn their butts to the stage and shake everything they've got. At first I was like- ok- another situation where women's bodies are objectified when the men are playing instruments and singing etc. However, the men later took the stage and proceeded to gyrate their hips and give plenty of pelvic thrusts in the direction of the audience. and the men also had some tight outfits on too I might add. it was nice to see such equal opportunity groove!

The Best Live Music

I've read that Dar es Salaam has some of the best live music in East Africa. Dar is quite the musical hub. Here is my first live music adventure outside of my hotel:



While still in Hawaii, a professor I work with at the University of Hawaii connected me with one of her graduate students from Tanzania, Ponsiano. It turns out that Ponsiano is back in Dar es Salaam for the summer to do research. So now I have one friend in Dar es Salaam! yay! Ponsiano and I went to Club Brake Point last night for dinner and music. The club was very open air. We sat right under a tree, which was very nice minus these hard seed like things and bird poop ocassionally raining down on us. I ate steak on a stick with french fries. This is a very local meal. Ponsiano is a great storyteller and has a loud and infectious laugh that seems to penetrate through building walls. Club Brake Point is one of his regular places to hang out. He knew almost all of the staff. Before the music, a man, who was not afiliated with the club, wandered in and danced with fire and a huge snake- boa constrictor? He apparently goes from club to club and performs for tips. There is no doubt, he is a star waiting to be discovered. I just kept trying to imagine a scenario where a man could walk into a U.S. restaurant/club unannounced and play with fire and snakes. I feel like there might be a code or two regarding this. Anyways, I loved him. Then the band kicked in. Guitar, base, bongos, other drums, keyboards, vocalists. They were amazing!! They played mostly local music from Tanzania and surrounding countries. I can't wait to hear more. Also, there are a number of discos which I hear are incredible as well. I will venture soon!

Kariakoo Market Area

The Kariakoo market is about a 20 minute walk from my hotel. It is huge and amazing. I've read that it's one of the largest in East Africa. There are fresh fruit and vegetables everywhere. The building in this picture is an extension of the main market building below.















Around Kariakoo market, there are also streets with clothes and shoes for sale. The streets are lined with clothes that are flapping in the breeze. It's incredibly colorful and lively. My favorite was a booth with tons of colorful bras and tighty whities blowing in the wind. I didn't have my camera that day! Darn!














This is the ceiling of the inside of the market. Ah shade! Most of the action is actually outside. However, inside you'll find all sorts of goodies such as sewing machines, canned goods, rubber boots, electronics, and more!














Outside of the market/building is where all the fruits and vegetebles are for sale. The vegetables are on the side of the street, surprisingly close to where cars, bicycles, people and carts go. It is amazing how meticulous the fruits and vegetables are arranged. The sellers place them in neat little piles and often stack the vegetables into columns.

images

More balancing acts.








Amazing textiles!








I had to take a pic of one of these guys. When you are stopped at traffic lights, people walk in between the cars selling all sorts of things- water, car mats, magazines, winshield wipers, fruit, etc. It's distracting, but very convenient. It's like a virtual drive through or delivery to your car!







I got yelled at for taking my picture with this sign by a security guard until I told him I was from the U.S. and work for the CDC. Then he was a bit nicer.