Wednesday 29 June 2011

Eskado Bird. The Beginning..

Very excited to be working with this girl.
She's going to be a stellar success.
I know it.

Faye, Fiona, Susie, Alison..

Loving all your emails and FB messages. Great to hear from you all.
Miss you and please keep it up!

As the internet is so slow and the connection is pretty poor I'm only able to spend short spells online
and its frustrating!

Burning

Heading off out to try and find some CDs so that I can burn some tunes from my mac book for tonight's party with Shaggy at Runway, Dar.

HELP!!!!!

Monday 27 June 2011

Hey Miss DJ

I've been invited to DJ at the leaving party for Shaggy ( Mr Boombastic.. telephontastic..?! ) this week...


Wednesday night, at Runway, the coolest club in Dar.
The invite came from Black Ice PR. YIKES!!!!!!!!


Have no cans or CDs..however I got a plan!

Alison

So happy to have heard from my pal Alison. Miss her loads. She's the funniest woman I know and a terrific girlfriend - she must be - she's been a very close friend since we were 14/15 working in CF Nash Glasgow in the stationery department.


She cracks me up. Very lucky to have her as a pal. She's not on Facebook, so its email all the way. FB is not her thing.

Very wise words...Healing..

A friend sent this to me today and I like it a lot.. 



Stopping, calming, and resting are preconditions for healing. When animals in the forest are wounded they find a place to lie down and rest completely for many days . . . They just rest and get the healing they need.
--Thich Nhat Hanh

We hurt. We suffer. We wrong our loved ones and they do wrong by us. Reaching desperately for an answer will not help us. Pretending we're not hurt doesn't help either. When we are wounded, the wound needs rest in order to heal. So it is with our souls. If we poke at our hurt, pick at the sore, rub it in the dirt of others' opinions, we do not allow it time to heal.

If you've been hurt, accept that. Feel the hurt. Be aware of it. Let it heal. Maybe it would be better if you didn't talk to that person for a while. Maybe you need to let go of the relationship. Maybe you just need some quiet time. Whatever the answer is, find a safe place and allow yourself to heal.

If you're feeling pain, be aware of it. Feel the pain, and then quit picking at the wound. Lie low. Quit fighting. Relax. Give your wounds time and enough rest to heal.

Chesney Hawkes

He may be the one and only but even though we have 32 friends in common, I don't really want to be FB pals with him or Gary Davies ( altogether now.. "ooh Gary Davies on your radio.. )

I'm deleting FB connections at the moment. Ones where there is never any interaction, too much Farmville blah shenanigans and also relationships where the energy isn't as good as I'd like.

FB has been great as it means I can keep in touch with all my friends and also see what they're up to and how they are. Blessing on that front!
And as I'm so far away, you can really suss out what's important, relevant and true and what is not.

I'm also liking making new friends here in Tanzania and adding new peeps that I've met here in Africa.

Jerry, Susie, Fiona, Niki, Nicole,Guy, Lisa, Andrea, Frank, Suzanne, Heather..et al you know who you are.. please keep me up to speed with your news..
Miss you !
xxxxxxx

Weather

Today - Monday and its proper cool, still a bit humid and we had some smir.
First day wearing a wrap during the daytime and I won't be getting my toes out today!
Socks and shoes.

Hoping the weather back home is getting better and there's some sunshine and warmth on the way. Sunshine and Vitamin D makes a whole lotta difference!

Charlee

My 9 year old Weimeraner is in hospital with gastroenteritis, ended up on a drip and is off to see her usual vet today. So relieved and still so very worried.
Can't thank Lynn and Joe Allan enough!! They've looked after her since I've been here in Tanzania and I think they love her a lot. They were very concerned, so I am concerned that they're concerned. Keeping everything crossed that she makes a super speedy recovery.

A few tears have been shed in the last few hours and not much sleep.

Eskado Bird

Eskado Bird's involvement in fashion began at an early age. Growing up in her mother's apparel store then know as Eskado Boutique, her love for clothes gradually grew. As she grew older Eskado Bird who is also known as Doreen Estazia ( Zia to her friends ) then extended ger fashion interest to include dressing up her friends as well as shopping for them, designing her own clothes and clipping magazines on files to serve as inspiration.

Eskado Bird loves to dress a woman that appreciates her body. An Eskado woman will embrace whatever fashion throws at them. Feminine florals, big bold prints, patent leather, sheer fabrics, sequins or glitter..

She is one cool, hot chick.

Her inspiration is art - the surrealist movement to be precise, such as artists like Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali continue to inspire her.

On 25thMarch 2011 Eskado Bird showcased for the first tie in the Style Moto Moto fashion show at Doubletree where she showcased 6 pieces which she completed in one week. Her success in this endeavour and the super positive feedback she received from the public encouraged her to keep on pursuing fashion

She also holds a BS Hons in Multimedia from the UK, July 2010 and manages her own company called Miracle Films & Studios Ltd which operates as a digital studio, creating creative emotive imagery and sound.

I think Zia is maybe 22. Super talented and I haven't even mentioned her musical collaboration which provided the sound track to her show at the DFF. In a word - awesome.

Hope to be able to work with her and support her in the future.

The Green Room

http://www.thegreenroomtz.com/wesell.html

LOVE this shopping destination..
Many of the products they sell are recycled and fair trade.

Sunday 26 June 2011

The Dar Fashion Festival

June 23rd and a 6.30pm kick off for the inaugural DFF.
With the theme 'Womens Worth' the event featured a superb showcase of 6 Tanzanian designers.. more on them later.

DFF was created by a small group of women and provides women with the platform, tools and resources to move from a form of subsistance to stability and self sufficiency and therefore contributing to the country's robust private sector. The brochure tells us that DFF aims to fulfill the dreams and goals of one Tanzanian woman at a time.

The models were all part of Black Ice Model Management, some of them had never done a runway show before. I loved them all! All so entirely different in terms of their personalities and their looks.

The DFF was founded by Lucy Navaha, Christine Lasway, Irene Mangi and Madeline Kimei. This event kicked off 3 days and nights of fashion frolics here in Dar.

I was Assistant Director on the show and it was a pleasure and a blast to be a part of it and work with Black Ice. They are very cool customers.

The Call from Home You Always Dreaded.

Charlee

So, I got a call last night from Lynn Allan - she is looking after my Weimeraner  Charlee with her family.

Charlee has been very sick in every way and is now in hospital.
Feeling very very far away and wishing I could be home to look after her.
Super grateful to the Allan family for looking after her. Trying to stay positive and hope that she will be back to her usual self ASAP.

She's 10 this year and has been with me through divorce and a break up and all the millions of fun times in between, always happy to see me, she's gorgeous on every level and is very very important
to me. I love her and keeping everything crossed for a speedy, painless, effortless recovery.

A Small World


So my new friend Abby, here in Tanzania is South African and now lives and works here.Gorgeous, warm, funny, bags of charisma and energy its no doubt she is doing so well here.

She has 2 lovely children, works on Choice FM where she has a daily show, she's an MC too and she runs a PR & Event & Modelling Agency business
with her partner Anita. We clicked. Just that, we clicked. 

Love her company and it was a joy to spend time with her hanging out
and helping out at the launch of the Dar Fashion Festival. 

We went to Anita's house on Sunday as it was her birthday and I had to collect my phone from her. BB Africa was on and someone mentioned Abby's stint in the BB household.

That was in 2003. I pop up and say oh I know 3 people who were on BB, who she asks? In no particular order Cameron Stout, Federico Martone and Eugene Mark Sully.

Guess who visited BB Africa - the first ever series.. Cameron. Who did Abby argue with a lot in the house? Cameron.

Tis a blimmin small world indeed!! I won't repeat what she told me, other than that it was highly amusing.

Saturday 25 June 2011

Good Morning!

Za hassa boo-ay is how to say Good Morning!
I say it and mean it with gusto.. the staff in the local coffee shop know my order and love having me practise my Swahili... well they give me that impression at least!?
Muchos excitement today as the building work which has been going on for the last 3 weeks has finally ceased and the sheltered cafe area is complete.
I told them nzuri sana.. it looks nice.
Stained glass, covered tables and plants all in the shade and they do a mean caffe latte at Classico Cafe. Have now mastered the art of asking for another coffee..
..neen geen ay... my spelling is crapola but who cares!

It's 11.20 am at the moment and I am waiting on Abby who runs a PR company here called Black Ice. I found her and the company on Facebook ( hurrah! )
sent her a message and so we're meeting today. Have sent her my CV and have offered to help her out. Hopefully I'll be able to start helping ASAP.
Itching to do more and have gotten used to the heat a bit more, so I can actually wear normal summer clothes ( as opposed to beach wear ) without melting..

Mr Nice

I've looked at Howard Marks' autobiogrpahy in Fopp back home on a number of occassions over  the years.. never actually picked it up.. dunno why.
Am now powering my way through it after picking it up in a groovy little bookshop here called A Novel Idea.
He is an awesome storyteller.

It says on the back cover
"This is the true story of Howard Marks. He was Britain's most wanted man. He spent seven years in America's toughest penitentiary. You'll like him"

I do.
And I recommend it.

Eco Bags

Its the last Say NO To PLASTIC Vintage, Charity & Craft Sale in Oran Mor this Sunday until October.
Fingers crossed it is busy.
It takes a lot of planning and co-ordination and even though I'm not on Glasgow for it, I still have my work cut out.
Gillian at Find Me Glasgow has generously donated eco bags for us to giveaway.
People here use plastic bags but you never ever see them litter the beaches or the pavements, the people here
are respectful of the environment and they reuse everything!
I picked up my own eco bag from Shoprite and even that is made out of recycled materials.

Its quite remarkable how resourceful people are here.

Shopping

Stop at a set of traffiki lights ( if they are working ) and you'll be accosted my an army of young men selling everything and I mean EVERYTHING.
Screen wash, crisps, melons, garden shears, rubber dinghies, sunglasses, DVDs, books, showergel, newspapers..
Have yet to pluck up the courage to buy anything, instead I have been to Shoprite and Shoppers Plaza to stock up on messages,
Mlimani City is the biggest shopping mall here. No European or American brands, no department stores as such though all the usual retail outlets
can be found like shoe shops, Vodaphone shops, ATMs, a bakery, a toy store, etc. The other option is the little shacks which are all lined up
in rows by the side of the roads. They all seem to sell the same thing or just about and yet all manage to survive.
I do try and buy local wherever possible and make a point of avoiding any imported fruits or vegetables.
Had papaya the other day and it was divine. Easy to eat healthily here.. fish and fruit and salad are the order of the day!

Fast Food

Goodluck had lunch when I was with him the other day.
He stopped by the roadside and ordered it from a lady who was washing tupperware and empty ice cream cartons
in a bucket of soapy water.

He ordered it and from a number of containers she served up rice, meat, piri piri sauce ( comes with everything )
an assortment of vegetables ( not sure which ) and steamed spinach. It was 1000 TSH equivalent to 40p.

Goodluck told me it was very delicious. It must have been, he wolfed it down in under 3 minutes!
Not tempted though. Health & hygiene issues methinks..

Signs

 learned the sign language alphabet and everyday phrases when I was in the Girl Guides and I've always remembered it, except for the letter H, which is weird as its my initial but hey ho.
On Saturday night, I was jokingly using it to get hold of Graham's attention when he was on the dance floor. Why am I sharing this?
Well a funny thing has transpired.
Rewind to Monday afternoon and whilst I was home at Upanga, I had the TV on - MTV I think and there was a show called The Amazing Race.
I had the volume turned down but I go the jist of the show, 3 teams of 2 people competing for $1 million prize.
They arrived in Maui so I turned the volume up. I've been there before, have a scar from a mosquito biting incident as a result of my trip and my
friend Jonathan has a home in Hana, so I watched it.
Low and behold, one of the teams featured a mother and son. She must have been late 40's, superfit and her son was very handsome and doing incredibly well with the tasks.
It wasn't until the end of the competition that I realised this young dude ( 25 ) was deaf. They didn't win but I was choked when the mum said that the whole experience
with her son was worth more than a million dollars.

Yesterday I received an email with an invitation to a full time opportunity working in a school with deaf and blind children.
I said yes. I start on Monday and have my induction at the nearby school on Friday. I took that as a sign from the universe, it has delivered
exactly what I wanted - a full time opportunity in a school nearby. I didn't want to reside with a family for just a week, I wanted something longer
and more challenging.

I am so excited!!!!!!
I have no idea what to expect, my Swahili isn't great and I don't think that will matter.
Off to revisit how to say my name in sign language.

Non Verbal Communication

My Swahili isn't great but I am learning new phrases everyday.. doing my best!
Funny then when I meet a receptionist or have an encounter with a waiter that it is all in the eyes, the smile and the gestures.
Went to an Italian restaurant the other night called Bella Napoli. It was a high end place, though you'd never really guess that from the outset.
The waiter Hassan was gorgeous. There is something about the locals - their smiles ( perfect teeth and I mean PERFECT ), smiling eyes, their
bone structure, their skin and how they carry themselves. They are proud but not too much, humble and yet strong in presence.

Any opportunity to learn a new phrase and Hassan was super nice and very kind. They love to laugh here, so every exchange is one o
that is guaranteed laughter.  They also laugh with you, not at you.
In some of the places we visit, the staff couldn't give two hoots and you can suss that a mile off.
For the most part though, the people here, in my experience are incredibly warm, friendly and welcoming.

We were made to feel like the only people in the restaurant ( we probably were ) but Hassan made it an
even more enjoyable experience and the food was top notch. Fresh seafood pasta. Very delicious.

Masai

You see lots of men from the Masai tribe here in Dar.
They have security jobs everywhere.
Instantly recognisable by their cloth, their stick, jewellery and overall striking demeanour.
They are employed by hotels, in nightclubs and in car parks and office blocks.
The Masai who work at Oyster Bay for an 8 hour shift in twos. They get paid 5000 TSH each.
That is £2 each. I asked a Kenyan colleague of Graham's why the Masai get lots of security work she told me "They protect with their hearts."

Connection

So, no phone for almost 2 days now and no internet.
Felt a bit left out for a bit in that I had no contact with any of my friends here
or my friends back home.

This sort of incommunicado would usually stress me out however I am learning the art of acceptance and letting go.

Later today ( Saturday ) its Anita's birthday celebrations. Hopefully Graham and I will be able to go.
He's just returned from 2 nights and 2 days full on work meetings in Kenya.
I think he will have stories to tell. When I was online for all of 5 interrupted minutes, he'd just arrived at the airport
and 5 zebras had walked in front of his taxi. Takes the whole 'zebra crossing' to a whole new meaning...

Black Ice PR

Abby and Anita are 2 of the loveliest, kind, funny and switched on gals that I have met since being here. In fact, they rock in Tanzania.
They are the equivalent here to Material in Scotland. They have great accounts, a modelling agency and people love working with them
and they have a complimentary partnership.

Abby has a similar CV to me - she is a radio DJ, MC, creative person with tons of energy, enthusiasm and chat.

I don't know how old they are - I guessed Anita was 24, I was right, Abby - no idea.
They are both gorgeous, warm, funny, clever and kind. Super grateful to them both for making me feel so welcome
and part of their 'team'.

Went to Anita's home on the evening of the fashion show, for a quick shower ( 2 showers per day here are required ! )
and she has a beautiful home, - swimming pool, bar, loads of rooms and to boot 2 gorgeous kids - Paris 2 and David - 4.
Her husband was away on business and very kindly sorted out lunch for all of the models earlier this afternoon. She has dogs 2 - but she's even scared of them and wouldn't exit the car til the dogs were locked up. I would still like to meet her four legged friends.

Abby is divorced and now has a great relationship with her Italian husband as they too, have 2 kids. Toire and Nova ( spelling might be off! ) I met Nova her daughter very briefly. Funny and gorgeous.

Abby set up Runway - the coolest cub in town and her ex husband owns Mediterraneo - a super hip boutique hotel. She lives next door to the hotel, as does her ex husband and his mother. They have domestic bliss by the sound of it.They also have the cool club scene here stitched up. Discerning and super hip venues for the stylish set here in Tanzania.

Abby reminds me of Natasha McMullen ( my beautiful friend and bridesmaid ). Generous with time, spirt and energy.She is also abundant with positive vibes and spiritually sound. She's super laid back and ridiculously good fun.

I feel blessed and very lucky to have met them both. Personally and professionally.

Sylvia

Is a friend of Anita. They go way back, they were at school together as very young kids.
Sylvia now lives in California and has the accent to boot. She is stunningly beautiful, the strong and silent type. She studies psychology at 'school' and has great chat. I felt I really bonded with her.

I met her sister Natalie at Java, post the fashion show event. We had drinks and then headed to Runway.
Sylvia went home as did Anita. I went out with Abby, Tony ( Anita's bro ) and Adrian ( A rwandandese french dude ).Adrian and Tony met over a baguette in a cafe. They are not gay. Tony has lived all over the place.. he has a full on American accent.

Abby and Anita and Sylvia are super aware - they introduce you to everyone and always ensure you are included.I am the only Mzungu in their company and they always make me feel part of everything. This is a gift.

2 drinks later and we head to Runway, where no doubt I will see Simone.

Monday 20 June 2011

Full Metal Jacket

Weirdly Graham and I last night were discussing war movies last night and i've never seen Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket. I kinda went off him after Clockwork Orange gave me nightmares...
Oliver Stone and FF Coppola directed my favourte war movies. Had the pleasure of interviewing Oliver Stone in London in 1999 when they premiered Any Given Sunday. Haven't seen any of his recent movies though I do know he is working on a project with the author Don Winslow about his book Savages.  The filming has started and features a  stellar cast featuring Salma Hayek, John Travolta, Blake Lively, Emile HIrsch, Benicio Del Toro and Uma Thurman.

FMJ is too full on for me - way too much shouting!!


I've seen practically every other war movie set in Vietnam.. not this one and its on TV now. Even though I'm not watchin it I do hope to enjoy some hot & spicy popcorn or butter stylee.. from the local supermarket. Now, if only I could find my earphones and my spex...

My Tanzanian Mobile

0784 932897 is my number on an old ( actually it is new ) Nokia brick style handset. It does what I need it to - it does calls and texts. My ringtone is coconut and its a pay as you go number. I only have 4 people in it!

I get a fair share of texts though, the lovely people at Airtel text me everyday with offers.

Washing Machines..

Are kept outdoors in Tanzania.. and no home has a dishwasher - not even palatial apartments.. tis not the done thing to have one apparently! Every home does have a maid/cleaner though. Its not seen as a luxury here, its a necessity for people to have employment. So, I hardly ever do the dishes, or do the housework.
Domestic bliss thanks to Mary, the maid here.

Nyuki

I haven't been stung since I was wee and this afternoon after lunch at Oyster Bay I waited for Goodluck in the carpark. Felt a sharp pain on my tummy, definitely bitten. Ouch. Went to loo to check for insect - nothing to be found. Got into car - squealed again and a nyuki landed on my lap after stinging me under my arm. Ah ya.

Goodluck then proceeded to swat said bee, they don't buzz much here but they do sting like billy-o.

So another new word learned!!

Sunday 19 June 2011

Who Needs Ibiza..!?

http://www.mediterraneotanzania.com/

Gorgeous hotel, stunning location on the beach and on the third Saturday of every month the locals head to this hip haunt. TOP music, people of every shape, size and nationality. Beautiful people..Superb music and total party atmosphere.. a bit like Colin Barr on his best form playing in Room 2 at The Tunnel, except its outdoor, you're dancing in the sand and you can watch the sunrise and dip your toes in the Indian Ocean.

We managed to get on the guest list - I blagged it from Simone, who also manages Runway.
Met Mikey who is a brilliant bar man and full of tricks, a la Tom Cruise in Cocktail..have asked him if he'd teach me how to do the flame throwing thing, co-ordinated to music. Met some American guys too, lots of Diplomats and students here. The local Tanzanian men there were very attractive - they are so physically fit! Not interested in meeting any one yet.

LOVED the music, everyone was so friendly ( the Indian men, a bit too much ) and we left at 6.30am, slept til about 2.30pm.. still a bit jiggered now..

Butterfly Beach

www.kipepeovillage.com

Beautiful beach here.. great place for lunch ( red snapper in coconut sauce is delish ), beach huts to sleep in, bandas to take shelter and shade from the sun, butterflies to chase and all in all a very relaxing day out at the beach. You can stay overnight and take advantage of the water sports activities and have a massage on the beach ( doing that next time! )

We went there by ferry, the crossing is 5 mins though the traffiki on the way back was extremely heavy, it shold have taken us 20 mins max from beach to the ferry port, it took 2.5 hours.

All good though - air con in the car, good tunes thanks to Kiss FM and a great opportunity to people watch. They are amazing the people here, no 2 look or dress alike. No such thing as homogenous high street fashion here, its all about individuality.

Kipepeo btw is Swahili for butterfly. Twiga is a giraffe. Its also a brand of cement here. ( I ask questions all the time.. tis the only way to learn!! )

Commission - The Total Cost of A Break Up..

The Total Cost of A Break Up

Love and Money.
A great Scottish band from the 80’s and of course the two things that have featured in songs and apparently they make the world go around.. ( Think Liza Minelli, Abba.. )

We all need money and we all want love. What then happens when the bottom falls out of it – a relationship? When you’re married its “for richer for poorer” and when you’re not married what is the real cost of a break up?

Love, friendship and money are all great assets and things that we have to work hard at achieving. Some of us manage all three, beautifully, with no hassle and some of us don’t quite manage to balance all of them at once. Take your eye off the ball and it can all come crashing down on you.. just like the world’s stock markets.

After a break up at the end of last year I was left counting what was left and it wasn’t much. The love that once was just dissipates, it breaks – hence the term ‘break up’ .

During a relationship you share friends and unfortunately, in some cases, when you split one of you can come off worse than the other with friends. They can choose to take sides and sometimes you or I can forget to nurture friendships, they wither and in some cases you end up in the black, as friends rally round to support you.

So, that’s love and friendship taken care of. The real crux of this piece is about the money, honey. We ( us girls ) earn our own money, we pay our own way and we can love who we like, so what has money got to do with it ?

A recent survey by YouGov found that 64% of women aspire to marrying a man who earns more cash then them. I wonder if that means the other 36% dreamt of marrying someone who earned less than them. I don’t think so, maybe they just declined to answer the question, since it appears that most people feel uncomfortable talking about money. ( Simply Red “Money’s Too Tight To Mention’ )

I discovered through my own journey of relationships in the last 10 years that women have an emotional connection with money. For example, when you’re feeling a bit low – retail therapy anyone? We never discuss it really openly, do we ?
I certainly don’t with my friends, its almost like one of those taboo subjects. We talk more about sex!!

We’ve all done this, I’m sure – fibbed about those brand new shoes you bought surreptitiously last week on your lunch hour after a particularly bad morning  “Oh, I bought them ages ago, you just haven’t seen them!” Does that feel familiar ? And of course, some men wouldn’t think twice about dropping £1000 for a week snowboarding or £250 on a new ski jacket, when some women have to eek out a weekly or monthly shopping budget. Both sexes lie about money, possibly how they came by it and most definitely how we/they spend it. I’d argue that we ( that’s men and women ) aren’t completely honest about money. We all know someone who has lied about how much they earn? ( I once worked with a girl who added an extra 0 onto her previous pay packet and landed the salary she was after in a new job!!? )

When it comes to some relationships, is it any wonder that when you mix love and money that sometimes the two just do not mix, a bit like oil and water?

There’s been a number of books written by women on this very subject, so you’ll catch my drift ‘The Secret Currency of Love : The Unabashed Truth About Women, Money & Relationships’ and another In Good Times and Bad: Strengthening Your Relationship When The Going Gets Tough and The Money Gets Tight’ .

This is not about financial equality or one partner earning more than the other, it’s about honesty. Is it any wonder that some high profile couples insist on a pre nuptial agreement ?

At present, as its topical, did Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzeneger have one in place ?  Take a world famous actor who was making 20 million dollars on average per movie before he became Governor. Maria Shriver is someone who is in the Kennedy family, one of the most famous and wealthy families in the world. Billions of dollars of net worth to be fought over! They married in 1986 and it’s yet to be disclosed whether an agreement was in place.

The Beatles sang ‘All You Need Is Love’ and even after all he's been through with his ex Ms Mills, who took him for plenty,  68-year-old Sir Paul McCartney recently announced his engagement with a whopping ring ( art deco reported to be worth 650 000 dollars ) to Nancy Shevell. Both laughed off any suggestion of a pre-nup, apparently all Sir McCartney's lawyers have done is draw up a simple one-page document saying Nancy won't claim on any of the trust funds of his children. Ms Shevell is successful and wealthy in her own right. With UK divorce rates declining, maybe it’s just too expensive to get divorced ?

So many questions and not many answers.

Once bitten, twice shy for most of us and so, a lesson learned and a lesson to share, whether you’re married or not,  whatever you do, girls ( and boys ) resist all temptation of being fooled into being romantic with your finances. It won’t build your future and in my experience, love doesn’t and never did pay the bills.

If you’ve policies in place to protect other areas of your life, maybe invest and insist on an honesty policy and joint bank account to manage expenses, it could be the best investment you both ever make. And since I started with a musical reference, I’ll part with one, a brilliant track from The Beatles “Can’t Buy Me Love.”  Macca, what a legend!

Thursday 16 June 2011

Shaggy!

Is performing next weekend ( 24th ) as part of the Zanzibar Film Festival.. great excitement amongst soe of the hip locals. Fingers crossed I will be there.. I can only thing of one of his songs though..

I bet the people watching will be amazing and a few good movies too..

Marry Brown

Marry Brown is the only fast food place here that has more than 1 outlet.
In fact, I think it has 2.
No McDonalds, Starbucks, Burger King, etc.
Goodluck has never been, so I took him.
I had the equivalent of a McChicken Sandwich meal, he went for the
Chicken - a - licious option with extra fries and 2 glasses of Guava juice.
It came to 27000 shillings which is about £10. Expensive by
Tanzanian standards, so no surprise then that is frequented mostly
by Mzungus and Indians and their young families.
There's a big Indian and Muslim population here too.

Goodluck loved it, his first experience of a fast food joint European stylee at the age of 26.Me, I've had a few firsts here too and I enjoyed Marry Brown as it did taste a bit like home.

Butterflies..

http://www.kipepeocamp.com

I LOVE butterflies and this is translated as Butterfly Beach.
Off here at the weekend. Fingers crossed there will be some butterflies.
Have already seen some stunners, they were too fast and flighty for me to photograph.
I saw a Painted Lady the other day and it reminded me of Susie & Dill and the summer I spent with them in Kent in 2008. 

Panic of the Ants

I can't remember the exact title of the movie from the 70's which I watched behind my dad's knee. All I remember is there were trillions of ants in it, scary, tension building music and in one scene to avoid the ants, one bloke jumped out of a window to try and land in the swimming pool. He missed. It wasn't a comedy.

Came across a few hundred of the little soldiers earlier. They were having a mooch around a bin bag in the kitchen. When I say bin bag, I mean a small bag with a few food remnants in it. I watched them, in their eventual hordes. I moved the bag outisde onto the rear balcony and within seconds they had sussed that there was no longer the promise of bread or whatever it was they were after!

Everything is kept in the fridge here. Bread, jam, Marmite, honey, sugar, biscuits..I've even put some body butter in there, just in case.

Amazing these little creatures, how they operate and how they survive. I'll no doubt see them again sometime.

Rain

Sometimes when you're abroad and on holiday and it rains you have that sinking feeling and a bit of "oh no, what do we do now.."

Not here, its not a holiday and the rains only last for a few minutes sporadically. Its midday now, hot and a cloudy vast sky from the balcony.

Meditation later. It's not as easy as it appears to those who are well practised!
Would I rather have a new handbag or master the art of meditation and a quiet mind.
The latter, everytime!

Wednesday 15 June 2011

An African Blowdry

Barefoot saloon, broken Swahili.. an understanding..
1 1/2 hours later, one of the most fun experiences ever at a hairdressers.
They laughed as I struggled with the lingo, ultimately appreciative of my efforts.
20 mins to wash my hair, massage  my scalp and condition it. Followed by another conditioning treatment, a blowdry with an afro comb, an olive oil spray to finish and my hair looked and felt great scraped back into a chignon.

I also met the owners sister, Gertrude, her English was very good, so we chatted about where to go out and she ended up sharing gossip with me on the Italian who has asked me out here.

Hairdressers they have good chat. 

69

67/69

At the weekend I met a man, who shall remain nameless.
He is 67, 2 years younger than my dad.
He looks 20 years younger facially, has a very fit body, great charisma, energy and a great lust for life.
 
He's been living in South Africa for  most of his adult life and now spends his time working fulltime on global projects. He spends his free time snorkelling, keeping fit and generally having a darn good time.He's married with grown up kids and seems to be very very happy.. He's created a great lifestyle for himself and his family.
I think it's all down to attitude. Oh and the weather and healthy outdoorsy lifestyle on offer..

Flying Vermin..

Bats are to be seen of an evening and crows are in abundance here.. a bit like pigeons back home.. just slightly easier on the eye.
I watched a particularly crafty one at the Kempinsky Hotel the other day.
Swooped down and lifted 2 sachets of brown sugar into its beak and proceeded to devour the contents leaving only a sprinkling to fall on the chap beneath the tree.

Sunrise

Susnrise this morning ( 16 June ) - it was up in 4 mins, just after 6.30am, the day after the full moon eclipse. Stunning. Clouds and all and a red sky.. perhaps rain later ?

Honesty


I left my mobile in the hair saloon after my blowdry.
They called and spoke in Swahili to all 4 of the people in my phone, thankfully Goodluck understood and within 10 mins of forgetting it, it was returned. A random act of kindness and a great example of honesty. Goodluck explained that if we'd been in Nairobi it would be a very different story..

An explosion

A Piri Piri explosion.
I bought some pirir piri sauce at the fish market 500 shillings.
10 000 is £4, so you can understand how cheap it was and they recycle plastic bottles here.
Not conventionaly though they are very good at getting the best out of all of the materials available.. Pics uploaded of metal structures recalibrated from existing materials.

Very cheap and utterly mouthwateringly good until of course it exploded not in my mouth but my bag. Camera, book, shades, wrap and bag are all now hot to touch!

An Ehtiopian meal.



'Addis in Dar' is acknowledged as one of the best places to eat in here.
It's hip has an interesting menu and we were excited about our first ever taste of Ehtiopian cuisine.
 
We were a bit disappointed. The starter, a big fried spice, cheesy crepe affair was delish.
The main course was served on what I can only describe as looking and tasting like a big bland white crepe bandage.
You use this to eat the 'toppings' beef, spinach and chickpeas were our choices. It was so bland.
 
We loved the coffee - served with popcorn and a lump of incense - amazing smell and the coffee was superb. Will defo return for coffee but will pass on the food. 
The menu was quite amusing!

A Motorcycle

Big Papa
Is the name of Goodluck's motorcycle..
He is very funny, a bit wide in more ways than one and very thoughtful.
Might have to take him up on the offer of a ride on his bike!

A Fishy Tale

The fish market was a full on assault on the senses!
I was the only mzungu in the entire place..bit disconcerting.
Super cheap to buy fish. Note to self.. must learn to cook!
I LOVE the food here. So healthy..

Afterwards I ran to the nearest hotel to wash my feet.
Flip flops at a fishmarket, not my best ever footwear decision.

A great experience. Friendly locals, great prices, an amazing selection and the calamari with piri piri sauce at 1500 shillings was delish.

Rain

Beach plans for today ( Thursday 16th ) as its raining.. Dark clouds and cooler temperatures. Hurrah!
When I say rain, I mean smir.
I might go dancing in the rain.

Sunday Lunch Mbudya

I love Sunday lunches and last Sunday's was pretty special.
I was with 2 Irishmen, an Englishman ( South African resident now ) and a Scotsman.
It's a marine reserve.. you get there by boat which takes 30 mins from The White Sands Hotel.
Upon landing you order lunch, they catch it, then cook it..

Lobster x 2, crab x 2, tass x 2 and red snapper x 1,  parrotfish x 1 all with chipsy. Amazing.
Eaten with fingers and washed down with a cold Coke.

Stunning place and quite possibly the best Sunday lunch so far this year.

Monday 13 June 2011

Zanzibar...

http://www.ziff.or.tz/
Zanzibar FIlm Festival.... Thinking this could be good!!!

The Frog Chorus

Unbelievable!
I have never heard anything like it... it was so loud!!!
Recorded some of the audio.. at times it was booming.
Mother nature continues to amaze me on a daily basis.

Money Money Money..


10 000 shillings is the highest denomination of currency here.
It is equivalent to £4.
The most you can withdraw in any one day is 400 000 shillings.
A Coke is 1500 shillings..
 Coins are literally useless here.. however its always good to save up your pennies for a sunny day!

The Loveheart Leaf

.. I took a photo of this when it landed at my feet on Sunday on Mbudya Island..
as soon as I took the photo the tide came in and washed it back out to sea..
A fleeting and lovely moment during what was one of the most perfect Sundays

ever..http://www.free-form.ch/tanzania2/mbudia.html

Chicken & Egg Scenario

Last week I visited Goodluck's family home in Mkongo Juu.
Its miles outside of Dar, seemingly longer ue to the twisty, windy, bumpy dirt track roads!!
He lives with his mother, father and 2 younger sisters.
Goodluck's mum was home and was very welcoming, giving me a guided tour of their hime, their chicken coops and garden.


I brought over some bisucits which we had with guava juice. We were going to have chicken with rice but hthere was a powercut, so we were all melting as the ceiling fan was gubbed, they were enjoying the peanut & chocolate numbers though, so all was good!


Goodluck's mum riases chickens and eggs and wouldn't let me leave without a chicken and some eggs.
Very very kind of her. The chicken came from the deep freeze and the eggs came straight out from the area where the chicks were.


G was delighted with the chicken - not!!? He hates chicken, so it snow in our fridge and will no doubt be gifted to the cleaner, Mary at some point.


Eggs for breakfast and we had planned on an omelette.. let's just say the eggs were not what we were expecting. Another reason why I don't enjoy cooking.. you just never know what you're gonna come across!!?? 

The Hanogver

I've never ever bought a pirate movie in my puff, try doing it in Tanzania! Actiually don't.
Piracy is a crime.

We pulled into a shopping area car park and were met by a number of locals
armed and smiley dangerous with literally hundreds of DVDs..
The car was surrounded by about 6 men, shoving piles of DVDs into the car.

2 for 6000 shillings.
10 000 shillings is £4. Go figure!?
The Hanogver 2 was great quality and I did laugh out loud once or twice.Can't remember any lines and was trying to explain to G that Superbad is way superior to The Hangover 1 and 2.
Have already seen The Kings Speech and read the book.. happy to watch it again with my friend.
That's tonights viewing methinks. I would love to watch African Queen after hy lovely friend CD gifted it to me on i tunes , however it takes forever to download here!!

Patience and all that...

The Ex Husband

My ex husband Gerry McCusker has married my ex friend, divorcee and mother of 2, Amy Sieweke.
How weird.
Of all the people they could have met and they end up together!?
I knew Glasgow was small..not that small!??

There's a whole big world out there..

Friday 10 June 2011

Mbudya Island - Sunday Plans

Mbudya Island (or simply Mbudya) is an uninhabited island in Tanzania, north of the country's capital city, Dar es Salaam and is one of the four islands of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve (DMRS).

The island lies close to the beach resort and fishing community of Kunduchi and is reachable by means of a 20 minute motorboat ride crossing from the mainland. It is therefore a popular daytrip for both tourists and Tanzanian residents alike, serving as a location for a variety of leisure activities, including snorkelling, sunbathing and hiking.

This is where we are off to tomorrow and apparently the lunch is amazing.. freshly caught line fish cooked up with chipsi and served there and then

Friday Night

Friday night was spent in the company of a BBC man, Jimmy Innes. Top bloke, originally from Aberdeen and brought up in Norwich. He's been living here in Tz for 10 years or so. He met his wife here and is soon to be moving to London to be with his wife Lily and his 14month old daughter Daisy. We met at the Double Tree Hilton which has a great view over the Indian Ocean. Jimmy's helping me with some TV & Radio contacts whilst I am here. As in most industries and in most cities, its not just what you know, its who you know and whilst we were at Hilton he said hello to a very famous singer and her manager husband and we discussed at length the departure of Bhoke from the BB House. BB here is just as it is in the UK, even the Marcus v/o guy is replicated here!

Great evening spent with Jimmy discussing his engagement, his payment for his wife, his machenga
and life here. His honeymoon lasted 3 days in the Cotswolds, his wife cost him $400 and he's over the moon to be a dad to little Daisy, he left us at 8pm to go and skype them. G and I then went for pizza at The Waterfront, sat at my usual table and had a disagreement about how illness is handled by companies here in Tz. We agreed to disagree. I reckon if you are out here on a job ( I am not ) and you're taking a risk with health & personal security, then your employer should be helping you with local contacts and protecting all staff ( and the company ) from unnecessary stress & worry. I' out here on my own back and it is a bit worrying to hear of TB and malaria outbreaks!!

TB

Outbreak of TB here. The lady who hosted the BBQ we were at last Saturday has tested positive for it, as has her driver. We were in close proximity to both of them. Not panicking.

Thursday 9 June 2011

SOS Village

looks after 35 orphans. Was there yesterday and then onto their HQ.
Dropping in a CV on Monday. Volunteering and have already got some ideas for fundraising.
Canny wait to start in earnest and develop a routine..

BBC World Service

Meeting a chap tonight at 6pm to see about work. Fingers crossed!

Bush

Is the name of Goodluck's 3 year old dog, the one from my pics.
Lots of you have asked why he is in a box crate thingy.
He is a guard dog and protects the land and the chickens from thieves.
He barks like crazy although he's a big softie round Goodluck.
I really wanted to give him a cuddle as I miss my own Weimernaner Charlee.
Maybe I can 'bribe' him with a biscuit or a pigs ear or 2.

Anyone for tennis ?



15 love this morning to me with the tennis bat that zaps the mossies.
Graham winning 40 love.  All bad boys and thankfully no femaie ones were found - they're the ones who carry malaria.
There's been a small outbreak on the peninsula according to a colleague of Graham's.
Suzanne and I discussed it and neither of us are on malaria tablets. Graham takes Larium once a week and apparently gives him crazy dreams.. which he likes.

At the travel clinic I was told it was not a high risk zone for malaria. 
The thing is, if you worried about  every potential illness, you'd be paralysed by fear.
ecoli now in Spain & Germany and found in cucumbers. 
I am taking my chances!!

Rude Boy

Italian guy from Rome, the manager of a nightclub called Runway has found me on Facebook after we met briefly last Saturday at the club. I asked for his help, he got sidetracked then came to apologise.
Some of the security were from the Masai tribe, the others ( non helpful & rude boys ) weren't Masai.

Speaking of Rude Boy. Rhianna has got nothing on some of the beautiful women I've seen here and as for their moves. Man alive, seriously sex on the dancefloor.

Stoneytangaweezee

100% humidity today. I am melting!
Too hot to do anything. Will update blog tomorrow.
Just had Chinese/Indian meal.
My new favourite drink is stoneytangaweezee.
It's ginger beer and has a great name, non!?

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Serendipitous moments..

Kate & Joe from Canada!
Met them on the beach fleetingly at White Sands.
We chatted briefly, I passed on my email address as they hadn't been to downtown Dar Es Salaam.
( I had a wee handle on the scene, thanks to Graham being a perfect host )
Joe is lecturing on a course at the hotel. Passed on Tender is The Night to Kate as she was out of reading material. That was on the Wednesday.

They met Graham and I on Friday night at The Waterfront, Slipway. Cue amazing sunset,
great food, drinks and company. Superb! Sorry they are leaving on Sunday.
Will defo keep in touch with them. Too many laughs.....and it felt great to spend time with them!!

Hope they keep in touch too. There were lots of other people who joined us that night... Selfishly I chose to imerse myself in Kate, Graham & Joe chat, I knew I'd see the others at a BBQ on Saturday.
Kate & Joe were the beacons!!!


Sending them love & appreciation to London, Toronto...x

Tuesday Evening.

www.kempinski.com/daressalaam

5 star fabuloso.. seeing my friend Suzanne Hay here later this evening for a fruit cocktail or two...i am partial to a pineapple or two and she loves luxury, drat!!!

Pics to follow..

What I Miss About Home..

.. My dog, my friends and family..

Things I Have Loved About Tanzania so far..

.. The sunshine, sunny disposition of the people here, the sunsets,  the rain, the clouds, the beaches, the friendliness, the warmth of the locals, the food, the price of things, the lack of obsession with material possessions, the serendipitous moments where you meet people who are just what you need at that time..

Things I Haven't Missed Experiencing in Tanzania..

.......Plastic bags, the ex boyfriend, traffic wardens, newspapers,  bitchiness, rain, Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Burger King, McDonalds, Pizza Hut.....

A Bug's Life

Came across a huge cockroach the other day in the apartment.
Was so flummoxed when taking a pic that I daren't get too close or use the zoom button just in case the little fella ( make that BIG fella ) turned over and ran towards me or my pile of washing on the floor!

Managed to get a pic, the same could not be said for he swarm of dragon fly buzzing about the 12th floor of this apartment building.

Stunningly beautiful.

I've always loved insects and am a huge fan of jewellery featuring bugs. Must invest in a piece one day.

Tea

I like to thing I'm a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to tea.
Darjeeling, peppermint, camomile, roibos, any any other fruit tea you can think of, I've probably tried it . I was first introduced to herbal/fruit tea at the age of 18 when I went to visit my Dutch friend Inge Assendelft. I met her on my first holiday abroad at the age of 17 with Alison and Anne when we went to Crete.

Happy holidays indeed and here in Tanzania, I've discovered, thanks to Graham's driver Goodluck, African Pride Masala Tea. Nothing to do with chicken masala and it comes as leaves and its delicious! Caffeine free, cinnamon and ginger infused flavours, with a splash of milk ( soya or dairy ) and it is a fantastic cuppa!





African Queen

1951 and The African Queen was made in East Africa starring Humphrey Bogart & Katharine Hepburn.
I've seen it already and loved it and massive thanks go to my lovely friend Colin Davies for gifting it to me on i tunes. Looking forward to watching it soon.

Colin and I have shared a number of films.. he works as a tour manager for Keane & Laura Marling, to name just two artists and spends lengthy periods away from home. I bought him Little Miss Sunshine on DVD and I think he loved it, I already love African Queen and will enjoy watching it again in the country where it was filmed.

i tunes is very cool as is Mr CD.

Sky News

Caught a bit of Sky News yesterday ( Monday ) and it reminded my why I no longer watch the news.
My friend and spiritual mentor, Susie Pearl has always advised me to be very careful what I watch and read and surround myself with.

It is all bad news.
E-coli break outs and bombs going off in Nairobi.
Not good.
Also, instils fear in people.
In fact Graham and I discussed this a few days ago.
Here in Tanzania - rabies, yellow fever and malaria are all things to apparently be concerned with.
One of his work colleagues daughters has e coli which she contracted here unfortunately, she's only a wee girl and has to go to Nairobi once a month to receive medical treatment. Her kidneys are under immense strain.

Some of my friends expressed concern for health issues when I am here - i'm not worried.
Cheryl Cole may have picked up malaria here, e coli is rife in Germany and I've done what I can to prevent illness here, however if I do contract something, then perhaps that was meant to be.
I am developing an increasingly philosophical side.

On the ecoli tip, I thought I was doing well, only eating fish and chicken here, who knew it could contaminate vegetables? I'm being positive, not taking any chances and believing that all is good!

Ignorance is bliss sometimes.

Monday 6 June 2011

Hot Hot Heat - Skin & Hair

It's boiling. So very hot and I'm being very careful with sun protection.
Factor 50 is the order of the day!
The sunshine and heat is playing havoc with my hair and skin.
I'm thankfully turning a lovely shade of golden brown and my hair is very blond.
Thanks go to Jack at The Rainbow Room for turning me into a dirty blond
now with beachy highlights.

Skin Guru Lorraine Harkins' serum has been a godsend for cleaning my skin,
moisturising it and even looking after my hair. Its a multi functional product and it smells divine!

My eyebrows are in need of a reshape, so I am off to try and find a salon that does threading.
I'm a woose when it comes to tweezing!!
Wednesday night is pamper night, got a recipe to make a papaya based facemask.

Friends

When you're away from home and not on a holiday - this doesn't feel like a holiday at all - you value your friendships & relationships even more than before.

Delighted then to have heard from close friends ( in no particular order ) Lorraine, Alison,  Susie, Fiona, Niki, Angela, Lisa & Guy.

It's tricky for me here as my circle of friends is limited - due to geography and the language barrier.
So little messages from home are welcomed and savoured.

Would love to hear more from Faye and all about her party and also disappointed not to have heard from Jo and John. Hey ho, people are busy, life is stressful and at the same time, it takes 2 mins to respond to a message ( or just say hello ) in between a multitude of postings on Facebook.

On the Facebook tip I have been rather overzealous with the delete button and the letting go part is incredibly cathartic!! : )

Ms Hay

Today I'm hopefully meeting up with a girlfriend from Edinburgh, the divine Ms Suzanne Hay.We first met in Dubai a few years ago and subsequently had a fun night out in Edinburgh
at the time when I was going through separation from my husband. Funny how brilliant people show up when you least expect it and Suzanne is superb company.

She has been in Mikandani, Mitwana running a game reserve. I'm looking forward to seeing herand having a laugh and its rather fitting that she is here, as I could do with a giggle with a Scottish girlfriend!

Rainbows

Rainbows are beautiful and fleeting, they exist only for a moment.
The moment is all we have and one thing I've learned by being here and reading and revisiting
all that my lovely friend and mentor, Susie Pearl has taught me, the moment is all we have.
So, I am not worrying about anything, I exist here only in the moment.

It is odd that in this vast skyline, when its sunny and it rains, as it is now, that there is no rainbow.
If there is, then I can't see it, I've got my glasses on, so my eyesight isn't letting me down.
Maybe Tanzania has no rainbows and sun and rain happily co-exist.
Any meteorologists who have a theory, perhaps you can enlighten me..

32 degrees and its only 09.34am.

Phew..

Sunday 5 June 2011

The Orphanages

http://tinyurl.com/43grooc

There are a number of orphanages here in Dar Es Salaam and this is the first one i"ve contacted.
At a BBQ on Saturday, Brendan and Irishman living here promised to put me in touch with some of the schools he works at here. I don't have any formal teaching qualifications and am happy to give anything a go. He suggested even holding reading classes after school as that would be a big help.

Fingers crossed I'll hear from the folks at Safina soon. 

It's all in a name..

Praygod , Innocent , Queen , Boniventure are just some of the inspired names that the African people have.

The above are all colleagues of Graham here in Tanzania and the man who served us lunch at Sweet Eazy the other day, his name is Clever.The surname is the name of their tribe.

If I was to choose an African name I'd go for either Serendipity or Lucky... 

Friday 3 June 2011

Faye Glasgow

Tis my lovely friend Faye's birthday today and she's having a huge party at Loch Lomond.
Am sorry to be missing it. Haven't seen her for ages, she lives in Paris and last time we spoke she was in Tokyo. I'll  miss seeing her family and our other friend Alison, we have been tight pals since we were 15. Familair faces and fun, really am sorry to be missing her celebrations..

So happy to hear that there is a heatwave back home this weekend...It's also the summer
Say No To Plastic Vintage, Charity & Craft Sale at Oran Mor. My partner Lisa ( who has 8 weeks to go on her 2nd pregnancy ) is holding court! Hope it goes well for everyone.

Lunch today at Oyster Bay with my friend Graham and then meeting up with a Canadian couple that I met on the beach at White Sands, for a sunset drink later and then onto dinner with some of Graham's colleagues. Will be good to be able to enjoy a conversation that lasts more than 3 mins with my Swahili and the english of the local people.

Have been in touch with one of the orphanages here and hope to hear from them soon. 

www.safinaorphans.org

Off to  stock  up on supplies for the weekend! Have a top day!

Thursday 2 June 2011

Goodluck

..is the name of Graham's driver.

He is 27 and from the Moshi tribe from the villages surrounding Kilimanjaro.
He works from 6am everyday and can finish late in the evenings. He helps me with my Swahili and I help him with his english, throwing in the odd Glaswegian phrase ( as suggested by my friend Fiona White )

He has yet to master Howz it gaun big man ? I have every faith he'll have it cracked by the end of play tomorrow. I see him almost everyday, we laugh, sing along to Rihanna ( oh na na ) and Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers tracks. He plays them on a loop over and over and over and his favourite DP song is the Whitney one from The Bodyguard and he murders it!!!

He lives with his sisters Beatrice and Merlin and his parents.
He has friends everywhere we go and is always on his mobile phone. He is very popular
and I am very grateful to be able to call him my friend. He is extremely kind and helpful and has a ridiculously infectious laugh, easy to suss why he is so popular.

Hue & Cry

htp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gxMvb9VrzY

Nipped into a book shop earlier today, it's called A Novel Idea at Oyster Bay.
This song was playing on a loop. The girl in the shop loved it so much
she plays it most mornings from 10am til 10.30pm. She was singing along and was
practically word perfect on the lyrics.. she knew them better than I did!??

These boys are from my home town of Coatbridge.
Top blokes and I remember being so delighted to see them on Top of the Pops.
Hue & Cry, loved in Tanzania. 

Catherine Deneuve & A Former Neighbour

Catherine Deneuve

I've always had a thing for the ice cool gallic blonde. I've seem many of her films and loved her collaborations with Malcolm McLaren. Delighted then, when in a Novel Idea I came across Close Up & Personal, a translation of film diaries which she kept whilst on set during a career that has spanned more than 40 years.

Powered through the diaries, loved the photos and thought briefly about Patrick Doyle. He used to be a neighbour of mine in Glasgow when I lived in Kirklee Quadrant. He worked on a number of her films, producing soundtracks for East-West in 1998 and Indochine in 1992.
 
He's a world class composer, charming and great fun. One New Year was spent in his company with his family, twas a hoot!
 
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Doyle

Snap!

Brilliant track from Snap! in the 90's was I Got The Power, if my memory serves me correctly!?
Well, today I have had 3 powercuts this afternoon. Quite lengthy, ended up very hot and was
worried the freezer may defrost. The emergency generator must have kicked in for us, as some of the
other apartments still had no leccy!

Managed to do most of the things I was supposed to do today.
Tomorrow am hopefully going for dinner with a Canadian couple from Toronto.
They are here for a conference and haven't been to downtown Dar Es Salaam so
as I have eaten out almost every night I know a few good places for dinner.
Will be good to have a bleather and listen to their chat. I speak with Goodluck every day but
sometimes it gets lost in translation.

Posting some pics up later, if all going well with the power.

Off to stick my head in the freezer as I am now melting.

Fly in the ointment ?



Been here for almost a week, no mossie bites - hurrah!
Did see a rat in Archipelageo, a groovy fish restaurant the other night.
I couldn't see it to begin with ( shortsighted you see ) but I did when it ran right past our table. The waitresses just laughed. Graham sat with his feet up for the rest of the night.

Today a bug - no idea what it was, some sort of fly, was found in my vanilla ice cream from Fairy Delights at The Slipway.Boak.

Then home to the ants.. must not leave even the tiniest of crumbs or anything sweet out.
Trillions of them have found my bees honey with cinnamon, they seem to like it just as much as I do, infact make that did.

I love all these little creatures as they are a necessity and the ice cream was probably mega calorific anyway!!

Toilet Trouble

Uh oh. The loo is blocked.
Taking some time indoors as it is searingly hot today.
Have taken onbaord postings on FB re whether to blog or not.
It only takes at most,  half an hour of my day, which is already jam packed with things to do.
I don't watch TV or even touch my ipod touch and am hardly ever on FB, so i am still going to blog, just for  me.

Dear Lord, please work loo. I don't think I can bare the embarassment of having to let Graham know, or him trying to find a plumber!? Muslim prayer calls have started, maybe that is a good sign that the loo may miraculously sort itself out..

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Patience

Ahh, Take That sang about it and my mum used to say "Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can.. rearely found in women and never in a man" 

Patience is one quality I though I had learned to possess in the last year or so. Nup, my patience is being developed further being here in Africa where everything is soo slow.
I posted a letter to my friend Grahm almost 5 weeks aho now, it still hasn't arrived. The traffiki is so slow as most of the traffic lights are out and the odd goat gets in the way and there is never any rush to do anything or get anything done and the upshot of that is , its very relaxing!!

My friend Graham ( we love GMac ) has sent me a text - so far this morning the internet has crashed 8 times ( breathe... ) - with this..

A list of tips for things to do on Thursday :

yoga
blog update
dvd
house keys
gym
enquire about thai massage
practice boggle
wash dishes
coffee at oyster bay

Research :
National Parks/Game Resorts Mikumi, Slous, Saadani, Zanzibar Hotel, lazy lagoon and Amani Beach.

I think he's quietly getting me into shape for when volunteering work begins in earnest.

So, that's what I'm up to today..Graham is one of the most patient, kind, thoughtful and generous men I have ever met. Very lucky to have him as a friend. He is mistaken though if he thinks I need to practise boggle, I have always been a cunning linguist, have already devoured 2 books since I arrived and its only Day 6 and I am very competitive when it comes to winning word games. Must ensure it is not Swahili Boggle! 

Tis 9am so I better get on with my day!

Charlee..

My gorgeous Dutch friend Nicole has jusy posted a pic of my 9 year old Weimeraner on my wall on Facebook. I miss my dog!!!!!! She is staying with friends of Nicole - The Allan family, she is a lucky dog and I hope they are enjoying her. I thjought of her today as there is a pet shop called Paws & Claws at Oyster Bay!

Just hung up the mossie net in the bedroom. Feels like playing tents, you know when you used to make a tent in the living room ( if you were allowed ) or in the garden with a sheet and a line of rope. So far no mossie bites and the net is added provention. 

Trying tapping method in order to wake up early for yoga. Read about it in Billy Connolly's Biography by Pamela Stephenson.  

To Blog Or Not To Blog

Jambo Jambo!

I've hummed and hawed as to whether or not to do a blog as I begin to spend three months here in Africa. I decided on a whim to do this blog ( took ages to set up as the internet, much like life is so sloooow ), after randomly reading my horoscope in this month's UK edition of Cosmo. I bought it 2 weeks ago and only picked it up to read the horoscope for a laugh. 

 Not my kinda mag it has to be said, however when I was at White Sands I finished Tender is the Night. The horoscope read "Important career discussions or paperwork arrive now. As a result you might resign ( yes ), be promoted or be headhunted by 2012. Hints about travel are confirmed shortly ( yes ). Virgos stand a good chance of a hit blog or book by 2012.

Well, leaving everything to chance, why not do a blog!?
If no one reads it or doesn't enjoy it, at least I will have memories to look back on. I'm also keeping a journal for personal thoughts and taking hundreds of photos..

So today was a day of  enjoyable firsts :
  • Haphazard yoga session, saluting the sun on the balcony at 8am overlooking the Indian Ocean. Will stick at it. Must try not to slide so much tomorrow morning. Getting up earlier ( with the cockerels ) as its scorchio at 8am!!
  • First trip to the White Sands Beach, Oyster Bay & Coco Beach.
  • First  experience of the ins and outs of a Hindu wedding which took place at The Seacliff Hotel on Sunday. I was there having coffee and recognised the Aussie based newlyweds at The White Sands Hotel. They had their ceremony at The Sea Cliff! I congratulated them and before I knew it, I was having lunch with their friends & relatives from Mombasa & London who travelled to Tanzania. They had the ceremony at The Sea Cliff and were staying a few days at White Sands before heading off to Serenget, Ngorogoro & Zanzibar.
  • Saw my first  Frangipani tree ( one of my favourite flowers )  
I am loving learning Swahili and have already cracked, hello how are you ? Can I have a cafe latte please, can i have the bill please ? And happy birthday as it is my friend, the brilliant Guy Venables birthday today, ok, see you later and I can count up to 20. Pole Pole also means slowly slowly, which can easily be applied to the traffiki, the internet and service in general. I like it. Today was Day 5 and I am loving it all.


My favourite phrase I have learned so far is lala nzuri. 
Pronounced phonetically...
It means sleep well...










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