Jeff November 30th, 2007
It doesnt seem possible that these two shops can be on the same street but here you have it.
The first mall in Tanzania:
The other side of the street:
Sidenote: They have a theater at the mall and it was really odd to see ‘The Kingdom‘ playing when a large part of the population here is Muslim…
Jeff November 30th, 2007
There are many unpaved roads in Dar (read: dirt with hug dips and trenches in them that would excite even the most experienced 4×4 enthusiast). We took one home from White Sands a few weeks ago but had not taken that route home in our previous few visits. The combination of it being late at night, the lack of street lights and the condition of the road suggested that the taxi driver was taking me out to the middle of no where to kill me until I saw some kids running around the road and figured it was ok. Here is a picture of a road that is still well within the city limits of Dar.
And just to even things out, a sidewalk in Dar:
Yes that is a stump. And for the record, this side of the street has about a 6 inch curb while the other side is about one foot. There werent really any standards when this city was built. It seems that people just kinda did whatever they wanted to.
Jeff November 30th, 2007
So I had the good fortune to go to church with a fellow employee the other day and man was it awesome! We got there by taking a short dirt road just off a street in town. The church is undergoing renovations so the back of it is missing at the moment. Church service started at 9am and we were a little bit late so when we walked in, you can imagine a lot of people’s surprise when I came in. Sitting down was difficult as well as there was only about 8 inches in between each of the benches. Sunday school is from 9-10am (in the same building as the main church) and from what I had translated to me, was about Samual chapter 7 and being a commando for Jesus. After that was the most rousing worship/singing service I have ever witnessed. People were singing and dancing and the energy! It was amazing! Of course I had to bust out the handy dandy canon and take some videos to capture it on digital memory which is much better than mine. (the vids will be uploaded as soon as i get somewhere with a decent internet connection) After the one and half hour worship session came a time where everyone was praying. And not ‘bow your head and close your eyes with no one looking around’ prayer… This was from the heart, emotion filled, honest and open, passionate prayer! Some people were shouting, some were (potentially) speaking in tongues, others seemed to be exhorting God for deliverance right there! It was incredible! Being a ‘blue’, I was nearly moved to tears; nearly.
After prayer, which went on for about 30 minutes I think (there were a few prayer sessions like this), there was a time for people giving thanksgiving and then they had all the visitors stand up to be recognized. Naturally many people looked towards me but I didnt know that the pastor said to do this as everything was in Swahili. So after I got the hint that I should go stand in front I made my way to the end of the aisle and up front with about 10 other people. Let me emphasize that EVERYTHING was in Swahili so that only added to my nervousness of being in front of 1500 people not really sure what I should do or say. At different points when people would share, the band would burst out playing and people would dance and they would get a necklace of flowers put around their neck. I am not sure exactly what prompted this but it seemed like a good time so I anxiously awaited my turn. And some people would talk for 5 minutes or so but I was told to just say my name and where I am from; maybe it takes longer to say that for some people? So naturally when the mic was handed to me I started talking (in English) and the announcer guy laughed and motioned that I should hold on. The band played a quick comic tune and everyone in the house and a good laugh as I was supposed to wait for a translator. Well my friend got up and translated for me but I guess I didnt do something right as I didnt get any music or a necklace. :( (really had my heart set on the one with the pink flowers too!) 
After that it was time for the pastor to speak (1.5 hours) and I didnt really get much of it translated but it seemed to be a real powerful message as everyone was quite into it. I believe it had something to do with sharing the gospel with people and not hiding that you are a Christian.
Four different times during the service they took an offering. And they dont pass around an offering plate but everyone gets up when it is their aisles turn (like leaving during a wedding) and they go up front to put the money in a big basket. (Each offering was about 15-20 minutes long) The also did an offering for a wedding which was cool as most people dont have enough money for a wedding so everyone who is attending chips in some cash for the event.
Getting the chance to go to a true Tanzanian Church was one of the best things I have done here so far.
Jeff November 30th, 2007
This is the shop that we had to buy the correct adapters from for some of our equipment as it was sent with the wrong plugs. The shop was located in an alley between two buildings. The guys were very nice but shrewd negotiators. Next time I go buy something at Best Buy I may have to offer half the quoted price and see what the salesman does. 
Jeff November 10th, 2007
I have found a great new picture spot at the hotel I am staying at… the roof. It is great… mostly unobstructed panoramic views of Dar. It came in especially handy last night when I kept hearing a bunch of explosions outside. I went up to the roof to investigate (camera in hand) and saw that there was a huge fireworks show going on. It was a cacophony of disorganized rockets and explosions that were intermingled with people blasting stuff off from most rooftops around Dar; I have to say I like their style. Come to find out that this was to celebrate Diwali.
Here is a sunset pic taken from the roof tonight.
And here is a fireworks picture taken last night.
Jeff November 10th, 2007
Went to ShopRight again the other day to pick up a few things for lunch. One of the best fruits in this country is passion fruit and this package of juice was just calling to me.
So I picked it up and after paying, promptly downed about 3/4 of it. It wasnt until I set it down that I inspected the box (and the ingredients) a bit more carefully.
Note the part that says and/or…. Twice.
They certainly are not too picky on what falls into the juices around here are they? I may just have to stick with bottled water.
Jeff November 9th, 2007
I added some new pics to the gallery. And I met some people who are staying at my same hotel. One of them is taking some cool pictures around town/at the parks to. Check him out.
Jeff November 5th, 2007
Well things are rolling along here. We set up our first VSAT at the Africa directors conference at White Sands resort in Dar es Salaam. It was good practice in getting everything set up properly and the resort is also very nice. I definitely didn’t think I would be setting up a VSAT at a 4-5 star resort looking out at the Indian Ocean when I first left for Tanzania! (Still haven’t gone for a swim yet but that should be coming soon; although I have heard that the Indian ocean is ridiculously full of sharks.)
The project is moving along a bit slower than expected do to some unforeseen delays with the equipment getting out of the ports etc. I am not sure when I will be heading to the field for installs; it may be as early as next week. It has still been very educational working with Greg in going to the meetings with the vendor who will do the VSAT installs, meeting with the logistics (trucking) company, and helping to plan/write the documentation for the installs. It has really shown how important communication is and yet it is the hardest thing to do because of accents, languages, and even simply different names for things. (For instance, Tanzanian’s call a surge protector an extension cord and Australians call it a power strip. We went round and round on that one for about 15 minutes before we figured it out.) There is also a tendency when you are working with some people to have them say yes I can do that tomorrow, even when they may not be able to do it. (I had a friend tell me that in some African countries it is rude to say no).
Being here is still a bit crazy. Hard to imagine I have been here for almost 2 weeks already. I think I am also really adjusting to life here because even if something ‘different’ does happen, I may not notice until later. Here are some random things to entertain/inform you about this place:
* I still have not seen a speed limit sign.
* It is a surreal feeling to hear the Muslim call to prayer. (It is a very upsetting feeling when it wakes you up at 5am)
* Life here is really slow. Things that would take you an hour back home (such as ordering lunch) take 2 hours here. People are definitely not in a rush.
* There isn’t any social program for people who are handicap so they stand in the median between the streets and beg.
* When we were unloading the 5 semi truck loads of equipment, we hired ‘laborers’. These are people that hang out near the warehouse, waiting for work as they know that trucks show up every now and again and they can be paid. When they aren’t working, they are sitting around waiting for work. I still have not really seen a ‘residential area’ yet.
* I have been brushing up on the Swahili; I can say hello, how are you doing, ask for things and I know when people are talking about me as they say (Mu-zuung-gu); it means: white dude.
* There are many unpaved roads in Dar (read: dirt with hug dips and trenches in them that would excite even the most experienced 4×4 enthusiast). We took one home from White Sands the other night and hadn’t taken that route home before. The combination of it being late at night, the lack of street lights and the condition of the road suggested that the taxi driver was taking me out to the middle of no where to kill me until I saw some kids running around the road and figured it was ok.
As far as the weather is concerned, it is hot and humid. It was pretty lame at first but you just kind of get used to sweating and it isn’t too bad. At least I am still in a hotel so I get AC and a shower every night. Although if I am here for too much longer, the locals tell me that it is only going to get hotter so I am hoping to move out of here and to a higher altitude soon. Getting a nice tan though!
I have been posting pics to my site but I have not taken a whole lot of photos as I still don’t know if it is really safe to be walking around with a camera. I have taken quite a few from the taxi rides I go on as you see the strangest things on the road. Even if I had taken lots of photos at this point I don’t think I can take enough pictures of this place to show people what it is really like.
Before I left I had intended on writing more but I have been working really long days and combined with the heat/humidity it really takes it out of a person. I just want to go to bed when I get home in the evening.
Jeff November 5th, 2007
This becomes a real common phrase to hear any time you exit a building in Dar. Thus begins the ‘decision’ on what an appropriate fare is for where we want to go. The decision involves a back and forth discussion on how much you should pay; usually you can get a ride for about 80% of the initial ‘quote’. I actually prefer this method as opposed to other countries where you get in and then get a big surprise as to what the cost is upon arriving at the destination. There isnt any ‘meter’ so if you need to go to the ATM or anything the driver just waits for you.
Most taxis that I have been in are compact cars (except for one ride in a Rav4) and generally are in need of a brake job as they scream in protest any time we need to make a stop. The actual ride in the taxi is where the real fun begins…
But first to describe the road conditions: I still have not seen any speed limit signs, potholes are a common occurrence, and it seems that the only rule in driving is that there are no rules. People are constantly crossing in the middle of busy streets, bikes (both motorized and not) whiz in and out between cars, and horns are used more than turn signals. The best way to describe what it is like is to describe a few situations:
Now that I have taken quite a few rides in taxis, I am a bit more used to it and notice that while there aren’t really any defined ‘rules’, everyone seems to play by the same lack of them, and things generally appear to work well in their own chaotic sort of way. I love it but cant say that I will be renting a car here anytime soon.
