Snapshots

The dala dala stations in Dar all have their own specific, weird and peculiar names. On my way home I pass Mugabe, Legho, Madukani, Makaburini and so on. It took me a long time to figure out that these bus stops are named after prominent buildings on the street - Mugabe pharmacy, Legho hotel, Madukani shop and Makaburini - by the cementery. It also took me a long time to figure out why on Earth is the bus stop in front of my office called Panther - Chui. This small sign in the middle of a huge sign forest tells it - our offices are guarded by the Chui Security Firm.

Mobile fruit sellers give Dar es Salaam people a chance of a healthy street snack - they carefully peel a juicy orange for you, cut it in half and then you stroll on sucking on it. It also helps against fainting because of the heat!

People are regularly hit by the cars on the Dar roads, but goats never. People say goats are clever in ducking the cars - does this mean the drivers are stupid?!

The banana market on my way to work is always busy and full of life - early in the morning truckloads of ndizi are being loaded on and off and on and off...

At the market entrance the road is so crammed with cars, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles and people that passing through becomes a work of art. That is the Dar es Salaam way of doing the SLALOM...