Dukas and dusty roads

  

The adventure continues... My colleague, or rather client has been blessed with a better education than me, a family business to take over and the laziness gene like I have never experienced in my life. I have been blessed with dealing with this gene everyday and being told "Dont worry Claire, it is the Tanzanian way - you will have relaxed a bit by next year". I have however noticed that not every Tanzanian Research and Development Manager starts work between 9 and 11 everyday and knocks off again at about 3.30. 

That said he is a genial sort of guy, that knows the whole of Arusha especially every lady, and stops to chat to everyone he knows whenever we see them (which takes another hour off the day). 

My colleague (Left)  and his sales manager doing some research in Karatu

My colleague (Left)  and his sales manager doing some research in Karatu

                                

We have been tasked to do a commercial market study for the potential of Corn Soya Blend (a nutritious porridge, basically e-pap) in Tanzania. This is taking us far and further offcentre into the middle of Tanzania, where I am getting used to being pointed at by watoto (children) yelling MZUNGU (whitey), giggling and running away. 

                                        

Morning in Karatu

When I wish you were with me:

1. I was so well behaved and didnt complain at all about where we stayed - however got teased all the way home when I refused to use any of the public loos. 

2. I have officially decided that there is no need for knives and forks at our wedding - 3 days of finger food, be it whole fried fish, beans and rice or omellette. 

lunch day1

Lunch Day 2

                                                 
                                               

                                           

3. Squatting all the way!!

4. TKZ in the area - blasting out of Kevin (the colleagues) ghetto blaster speakers as the old combie we were in overheated

5. Louisiana State University T-shirt in a small town called Mto Wa Mbu (far from Baton Rouge Weez)

6. Ordering a Konyagi (local gin) and tonic and getting the whole bottle of Konyagi - straight up!

7.Deep fried Talapia-  whole thing - fins, eyes, tail and all for supper...quite tasty actually!!

8. Someones dundies hanging from the curtains of my first hotel room - a rather large lady judging by the size

9. Wali na Maharage (rice and beans) for lunch three days in row...the alternative was just too difficult to chew...I may not be a hotel snob, but when it comes to red meat...I am a farmers daughter after all. 

                                                  

On the way to my bathroom at Giraffe Executive suits - slip slops c/o the last occupant?

In my bathroom Griraffe executive suites hotel, Karatu