My newest find...

Last night, I went out to dinner with my flat mate, Roberto, 2 Kiva fellows, Ann and Katie, and Roberto's friend, George, an Israel diamond dealer. We went to this great Ethiopian spot located in the Masaki area. And George actually had diamonds with him, which he happily let us look at. They were rough cut, unpolished small diamonds. I have never seen one before, and I probably still wouldn't know it was a diamond unless someone told me. Unfortunately, I did not get any diamonds last night, but I did buy an automatic bottle opener from the bartender at the restaurant. Here is it: (isn't it a beauty?)


I was so excited when the bartender opened our beer bottles with it that I told him that I really like it. He said he had an extra one and sold it to me for 5000 TSH, or roughly $3.30. Although I bought this lovely beauty here in Dar es salaam, it is actually made in China. They also had these neat toothpick holders, which I was also tempted to buy - I don't know why.

Things are going well here in Dar. I am finally settling in, and starting to make friends, which is really great. I am also starting to just settle in like the locals. For example, the dala dalah (bus) rides can be quite intense. The other day on my way home from work, I attempted to get off the bus at the last stop, but before I could get off, people were jumping through the windows and pushing through the door. I was tossed around quite a bit until I finally said "move!" and pushed my way out. Yesterday, I had to tell a few people to please not lay their bodies across my head and face. When I got home my roommate, Roberto, asked me if I got sunburned until I realized that my face was probably chafted from the backsides, purses and other bags that scraped across my cheeks on the bus. At one point, I just put my arm up as a barrier, it sort of worked :)

It is funny because the mzungu, or white people, here sort of complain about the bus, including myself. But I was thinking that the bus experience actually reminds me of trying to board the 38 Geary to and from the downtown area during commuter hours. I think people, like me, are eager to get home after a long day working, so they get super aggressive on the bus. My first two weeks, I was so polite, but as you can see from above, I am starting to just muscle my way on and off the buses now, just like the locals :) They don't seem to mind...