Independence Day

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Yesterday was Uhuru (independence day) in Tanzania, so no work! Except I did some reading for my English teaching anyway. They held a parade in Dar Es Salaam (and broadcast on TV) of the soldiers, airforce, marines, navy, national service, police and prisons forces. It seemed as if they inherited some of our military tradition.

I used the opportunity to explore the more local shops near to where I am staying, and get some sodas and a newspaper. I brought The Citizen, the sister publication to a Swahili newspaper (Mwananchi). The Tanzania General Election is coming next Wednesday, so the papers are full of stuff relating to that. It looks as though it will be much more competitively fought this time, with the CHADEMA candidate using a helicopter to get around to different rallies. Although the CCM (ruling party) Minister I met was fairly derisive about this, suggesting that people came for the helicopter not for the candidate. Meanwhile the TLP (Tanzania Labour Party) candidate got tear-gassed for holding a demonstration without permit. It also has some international news (and I listen to the radio and watch some TV) so I'm not completely isolated from world affairs. The quality of English wasn't always very good though mind, but I could understand it fully (unlike any Swahili newspaper).

We had a particularly hot day on Zanzibar, even by Zanzibari standards, so I was drinking huge amounts and generally taking things easy. I am also getting fed up with my digestive system, which is continuing to give me big problems. I attended a British High Commission party in Stone Town, but it wasn't very good and I left early because of my digestive system problems. It was suggested that I might have malaria, it would explain the diarrhoea and tiredness, but I do not have a fever. I will however, visit a Doctor today and have a malaria test as I am not feeling very well at all.

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Photos

The View
The view from near where I live, just a few contrasting photos today.

Road
A road just near to where I live, with several sets of flats either side.

Flats
I think these flats are one of the poorer areas of Stone Town (as well as being very close to where I live, you can see them from outside the house). They were built by East German engineers during the Cold War.

Rubbish
Piles of rubbish like this are not unusual, and I saw more than one down this street. They remind you of quite how poor this area is, and contrast greatly with the views of the sea, sand and palm trees.