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.

Lions on TV and farewells

Vivian from Canada, another STOP member assigned to Tanzania, left to go back home because of family problems last night. Legesse, also a STOP member for Tanzania, left Dar es Salaam to head out to his region Mbeya. I am the only STOP member assigned to Dar es Salaam. I will miss both of them so much! Every morning Legesse and I would have breakfast at the luscious and free all-you-can-eat breakfast spread at our hotel. We would shovel down plates of food because a) it's free and b) it's good! and this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I'm getting fat. that and the fact that there is an icecream store a block from my hotel- did I mention that?! Legesse and I actually ate all of our meals together. Every night we'd explore the city and try new restaurants: chinese, indian, bbq chicken on the sidewalk, prince burger and our favorite Chef's Pride restaurant! Chef's Pride has everything from local food to pizza and fried chicken. It's a fascinating mix of people and it always busy and very social. Last night we were eating dinner and the entire restaurant stopped moving and talking. I was immediately alarmed and looked around scared at what might happen. I realized that everyone was staring at the TVs, which pictured a lion stalking its prey. It was the kind of intense hush and silence equivalent to a superbowl game in the U.S. Go Lions!!!

Brian's Actual Location

FAQ:

Where is Tanzania? East Africa

Where is Dar es Salaam? Eastern Tanzania on the coast

Where will you be working? Kinondoni District

Which is where? Northern Dar es Salaam

This is Tanzania. The ORANGE section is Dar es Salaam. Ignore that Khaki colored blob above it. I will be working in the northern district, Kinondoni. There are over 1 million people in this district. I should be heading out to Kinondoni next week. I am excited to learn about my new home. The WHO headquarters and my hotel are in the Ilala district, which is to the right of Kinondoni.

Beach!

Mr. Kamugisha (my WHO supervisor), Legesse and I at the WHO Office.









Legesse, Vivian and I at the beach!! This is a few blocks away from the WHO and CDC office. We walked there during lunch. It was so bright and sunny I am now a little pink.











A school near the beach.










The beach was pretty emtpy. I'm not sure if it's the best beach for swimming. Also, it was so hot, that most of the locals were hiding out under the trees and any other available shade.

pics from Dar es Salaam

Me in front of a mosque in Dar es Salaam. I am in the shade because it's extremely hot.











The view from my balcony at the hotel. It's beautiful.









Me and my new friend at the National Museum of Tanzania.












Legesse and I at the National Museum. We have been in Dar es Salaam at the main WHO headquarters. He is going to a western region of Tanzania. I will be staying in Dar es Salaam.

Some Pics

The view of the Peacock Hotel where I am currently staying. posh.

Legesse from Ethiopia at the WHO office- we are both assigned to Tanzania. He is my new best friend here.

The hallway of the Peacock Hotel where I am staying.

Outside my hotel- these tall skinny trees are everywhere in Tanzania!

A few pics

Me and Godwin from Nigeria. He was my roommate at STOP training and whoa did he snore! A few times I actually spent the night over a friend's place because of the rattle. We had alot of good conversations. He is assigned to Pakistan.







Me and Legessee from Ethiopia at the World Health Organization office in Tanzania. Legesse, also a STOP member, will be going to a region in the western part of the country. I will be staying in Dar es Salaam, which is one of the biggest cities in East Africa.











This is across the street from my hotel. The guy under the umbrella is grilling corn. These corn grillers are all over the city. I have yet to try a cob, but they smell so good!










All over the street people carry things in their heads. I'll have to get better shots of this. Size is no matter. Yesterday I saw a woman carrying a huge mattress on he head.









Back in the day, the city was colonized by Germans. Here is a church where you can see the German influenced architecture.

Asking for Directions

The first time I asked someone for directions to a place to get lunch (very open air), I was shocked when he walked me almost the entire way there. I thought that he was such a nice person and thanked him over and over again (asante sana). However, the second time I asked a woman for directions to an internet cafe, she walked me all the way around a building and to the door of the cafe. Again, I was surprised and thanked her. I soon realized that this is just the way people are in Tanzania. Instead of just pointing or describing with left turn / right turn, they will actually take you there. This has been one of the nicest things I have exerpienced here. They know I am a foreigner/tourist because I speak english and yet they are still so helpful and friendly.

Beard Buddies

Hello,

My beard is loving Tazania. It has lots of buddies here and it feels very at home. I think it would stay here forever if I let it. There is a large Muslim population here and because of my beard, many people assume that I too am Muslim. It's interesting to feel like such an outsider on the inside and an insider on the outside.

While I was at training in Atlanta, a Canadian counterpart told me that I looked as if I were a member of a certain tribe in Canada where beards, like mine, signify marriage, much like a wedding ring.

I think it's fascinating how my facial hair is interpreted. like art under my chin.