I just got back from a looooong round trip from every grocery store in the Peninsular (think Shrijee's, Slipway, the fruit/veg duka and Seacliff) only to get back and realize that there is no umeme at home (grrrr!).
This means I've come in from the heat outside into an oven-like temperature at home with no immediate way of cooling down because the Powers That Be (namely the apartment manager) hasn't decided to switch on Jenny yet (that's what I call my apartment generator - you start having a close personal relationship with generators when normal electricity is as unstable as it is here)
The reason I've been running around like a headless chicken is because grocery shopping in Dar is a headless chicken kind of endeavor. As any person who has attempted it knows, there is no such concept as "under one roof" in this place. If you're trying to get the best stuff at reasonable prices, you have to go to at least 3 different stores.
Let's say you're set on getting some Australian honey, you've better drive to Shopper's Plaza for a bottle that won't cost you your right arm (and leg!). If a french baguette is on your list, then you'd better stop off at Seacliff....
....and as for low-fat Azam yoghurt (the creamiest low fat yoghurt ever!), it's either Shoprite in Slipway or perhaps Shrijee's. If you happen to be unlucky enough to have run out of fresh fruit and vegetables, don't even dream that you'll get it in any air-conditioned establishment because everyone knows that the best place for fresh fruits and veg is at those sweltering-hot dukas:
After I've been on one of these Columbus-like expeditions, all I want to do is to get a glass of iced water and stand in front of my air-conditioner the minute I get home.
Today is clearly not my lucky day because I arrived home to find that I have to carry bags of groceries and climb 7 flights of stairs to get to my apartment with no hope of getting cool anytime in the near future.
So, here I am, ranting on this blog just so my hands have something else to do other than pull my hair out in frustration! If nothing else living in Dar Es Salaam will teach you to practice patience.......in really, really high temperature!
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