Dar Es Salaam

So instead of Malawi, Omid, Jordana, and I went to Dar Es Salaam for the weekend. It was an 8 hour busride of fun, as every stop we had vendors shoving things up to the windows. There was roasted corn on sticks, or baskets, or sodas, or peanuts, and sugar cane. We also went through the national park again and this time got to see many elephants of which I was able to snag a photo. I still have not been able to upload my photos as it takes both time and bandwith which are real luxuries here in Iringa, but eventually I will.

Anyway, on with the story. Basically we spent the entire weekend eating. We had suhi, and Indian food, and Indonesian, as well as pizza and milkshakes. We justified our gluttony by rationalizing that this food was not available at Ruaha school. We also tried to go shopping but it was "Saba Saba" (July 7th) which is a national holiday so the majority of the shops were closed. It was probably for the best as most of the purchases would have been descretionary and not necessary. We did find beautiful silk woven Persian scarves for about $5 and made the purchase. They've been lovely back in Iringa where it gets chilly and windy at night but in Dar it was superfluous as the weather was hot and muggy.

On Sunday we went to devotions at the National Baha'i center which was quite lovely. It was nice to meet Bahais from all over Tanzania (and the world as there were some Brits, Irish, Canadians, and Egyptians there also). We met a wonderful Baha'i named Michael who works for an NGO in Dar and showed us the neighborhood of Mwenge in Dar.

On Monday we got to commemorate the Martyrdom of the Bab, a holy day for the Baha'is, and it truly was special. There were songs performed on drums, harp, or chanted as well as beautiful prayers recited in both Swahili and English. The recitation of the tablet of visitation in Swahili was probably the most moving Swahili prayer I've experienced so far.

Afterwards Omid went to the airport to pick up some more Canadians, so I traveled back to the YMCA (where we stayed) solo. It was quite the experience hopping the Dala Dala as I went the wrong direction and hit the end of the line before realizing it. The drivers and I had a laugh about it and they let me stay on the other way for free. I figured it was a cheap tour of Dar. Plus, the Dala Dala driver proposed to me at the end of the ride after finding out I was American and that my family was back in the states. "You are all alone here?!?! No family?! You need family. I can take care of you." It was quite sweet though I had to politely decline.

With Omid around I get no marriage proposals, but when he was gone I got three. I guess the potential suitors assume we are married. Actually, one of the market vendors in Iringa town actually asked Omid where his 'wives' were (refering to Jordana and I as the three of us usually go shopping together) when he went to town alone. Men and women do not usually spend time together unless they are married and even then the genders usually segregate.

Anyway, I'm a bit tired so that will do for now. I will have to write another post later about meeting the new volunteer, Ramin, and the Cooperative Learning Workshop all the volunteers and new teachers have been participating in.

To Malawi or not to Malawi?

That is the question. I found out a friend of mine is living in Malawi this summer, but is leaving in August. Ruaha School is on break until July 16th and then the next break is in September. If I want to see him I would have to leave tomorrow but it will take at least a day to get there. I have been given the blessing to go, but I only have 5 days to play with, and unlike in the States, roads are not reliable. I have to decide tonight. If not then I will head to Dar Es Salaam for the weekend as there is a Baha'i conference there. We shall see.