I'm a tourista
Mood:  celebratory
Hm, interesting. I just realized that when i record my journal entry that it's getting posted for the next day. I discovered that it's because i am registered in Japan and it's already the next day there!
This entry is for Thursday, July 29th!

Yahoo. I got to play tourist today. The hotel suggested that i not hire Ali who I met on the street yesterday. Instead they hooked me up with someone they know is reliable: Mbaruku - Muba for short- was my guide for today. We walked to a ritzy hotel with an Exchange. No problema. I was so excited and hesitantly cashed $400 in traveler's checks knowing that this will more than take me to Moshi and Kili with money to spare. I just hope that i can stash it safely and not get robbed. This is such happy news since my first stop was at the Emirates office. They say they can't grant an exemption but my Travel Agent can. I think this is bullshit but i emailed Miki in Japan and she will call Kota-san tomorrow to see if he can get me a 20 kg. exemption for my luggage on the return flight. IF all else fails - i'll mail the heavy stuff back to Japan by boat. What a hassle. The Botanical Gardens are interesting - such a struggle for plants to survive in alkaline soil and brackish water. The Germans started this project. Government helps a non-profit group now to keep it going. Some experiments with crops. Palms are a focus and flowers. I see dates, mango, banana, bougainvillea, hibiscus....nice. The Tanzanian National Museum gets me charged. Darwin and Livingston are here to introduce me to the beginnings of man that are evidenced here in Tanzania and introduce me to a history of brave pursuit and discovery of the mysteries hidden here.

We then walk to the bay and through the fish market. Fish and prawns look healthy and very appealing, then on to one of the biggest markets in DAR. Two stories - selling everything from pots and pans to Monsanto Roundup and chicken feed, bicycles and clothes. We wandered through a street market with barrels of spices - fragrant and fresh -vegetables and fruit stacked high. A barrel of clay bars caught my eye. It's for pregnant women who get the craving to eat it! I buy a kwanga (piece of fabric). It is to be cut in half. One piece wraps around your waist as a skirt. The other half wraps around your midriff as a top. This will cover my bike shorts when i stop riding during the day. $3 for this gorgeous tie-dyed piece. Back to the hotel for a quick rest and break for Muba. Then to the Jambo for a late lunch/early dinner. Dinner for two is $8. I have curry veggies/veggies and rice and a chapatti and a mango milkshake. I feel better now!

Mabu then takes me a few blocks to a street market. I buy Didik an African shirt for $10 - i think this is a bit overpriced but not sure. Two small Swahilli text books for $3. Four necklaces and a coconut shell hair clip and earrings for $8.
Amazing how tired i get from all this newness. I wish i could run and burn off some nervous energy - not safe. Back to the hotel to do some emailing while inhaling car fumes and cigarette smoke and very slow internet connection today. Brief discussion about Bush with a couple of locals in the Internet cafe. They all are angered at the lives lost and devastation caused by this administration. All over oil - it is apparent to them. In bed before 9pm. whew.