Best Paragraph on Life in Dar Es Salaam
Jeff January 25th, 2008
Quintin wrote probably the best paragraph summarizing a typical day in Dar Es Salaam that I have read.
Archive for the 'Tanzania' Category
Why you shoot in RAW:
Jeff December 28th, 2007
Now I know why people shoot their pictures in RAW format. Do to me being new to the DSLR world, I took quite a few photos where my settings were just all wrong. But thanks to the wonderful digital world we live in I think I can salvage quite a few of them. (click on images for full view)
Here is what my photo looked like before Photoshop:
Here is what it looks like after:
Safari Pics
Jeff December 6th, 2007
Have a look. They are un-edited so they are a bit rough but still kinda cool.
When Worlds Collide
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…
Roads
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.
Church, TZ style
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.
A Dar Best Buy
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. 
Favorite Picture Spot
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.
And/Or Ingredients?
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.
New pics
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.
