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.