What to do?
These are the days when I see people all around me scratching a living out of nothing. A lady with a baby tied on her back sitting in the sand trying…
Out & About
Nyerere’s bridge
The new bridge to Kigamboni is a sight to see, so I have been told. It took almost five years to construct and was opened officially several months ago. The…
Fomu
Never before have I filled in as many forms as I have here. Usually these forms are asking for the same details. Even within one institution, like a bank or…
A walk in Bongo
One of my typical days of here in Bongo I cannot imagine happening anywhere else. While out for a walk, I’m offered a lift so I pass by the expensive supermarket…
The hope of good sales
Often I’m amazed at the seemingly relaxed attitude of people doing business on the roads, all hoping for a good sale. To me it looks like a real tough and…
As it comes
Taking things as they come is a good approach in daily life, especially here. Plans and intentions are always there — but the next phase is a gamble. The most…
Cheap or pragmatic — probably both
From my experience good quality tools and machines are hard to get here. They are imported and heavily taxed so there is little choice and it costs. The easier and…
Tolori or Toroli?
Swahili is widely considered a Bantu language that existed long before interaction with other cultures. Once the Arab and Persian traders arrived on the East African coasts it developed into…
The rise and fall of Bwana Ndizi
Around the corner we’ve had a fruit stall for years. First it was set up close to the beach, but later as traffic flows changed it was moved a few…
Household wildlife
Living in a tropical climate means there is an abundance of life in and around the house. I’m not talking about the Big Five but rather the small thousands or…