Greetings from Dar es Salaam! It’s been a long week of work and being jetlagged. I feel like as soon as I turned 30 years old, it has become harder and harder for me to recover from jetlag. It used to take one day on the road and 2 days when I got home. Now it seems like 3 days when I reach my destination and 5 days when I get home. Isn’t getting old great?
After seeing nothing but offices, I decided I’d take Saturday to do a little work recon (checking out other Dar hotels and collecting computer quotes) then visit the Mwenge Carvers’ Market.
The market was overwhelming. So much to see, so much to buy and so many people trying to get me into their little shops to give me, “a special price.” The variety of things you can buy is amazing but more so is watching all the carvers work.
I love that women carve too. I haven’t seen that much in my travels.
Here are the more scary of the the carvings. I couldn’t take too many pictures inside because I felt like people then expected me to buy something. I did end up buying something in this shop so the owner let me snap one (bad) shot and even posed for a picture.
Come on love, give us a smile. After all, you just made a sale.
That’s better! Man, I wish I had more than my iphone to take pictures. We ordered a replacement camera but it didn’t arrive in time.
I ended up buying these hanging monkeys from the lady. It was different from what I normally see at souvenir markets. I also got a few other little bits and bobs including 2 pairs of earrings I’m gifting to some friends.
Ignore my shiny, gross face. It was humid and I took this picture before I had a chance to refresh myself. These are on the large side but I have a friend that will love them.
I am tempted to keep these. They are smaller and I love the pink color. They only cost me $1.
On Sunday I headed to an artist cooperative, sweated my booty off and picked up few pieces I can’t wait to show you. Happy Monday!!
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6 comments:
I AM SO SO HAPPY THAT YOU WENT TO MWENGE! This post literally brought tears to my eyes because I miss it so much. (We lived just up the hill from Mwenge on campus and many of my friends taught English there.)
Are you going to the Tinga Tinga coop? Please blog as much as possible!
(Oh and did you decide to skip out on Zbar?)
I love it when you travel - we get very interesting photos to look at!!!! I love the carvings; those monkeys are incredible. And I even love the "scary" masks (although I also love Dia de los Muertos). Thanks so much for sharing! It's so interesting :)
I think you look great! Thanks for making the time to blog while you are away. :) I'd love to see more.
Those earrings are great! I love the ones that you love. :). And the before and after no-smile/smile photo is awesome!
Ooh, the earrings are hot. I like the monkeys you picked out too.
@ Hannah:
Thanks SO much for all the tips. I keep reading and re-reading your comments and emails about all the places you suggested I go. Check back in for Tinga Tinga tomorrow. Also, I've got my ticket for Zbar booked for Friday.
@Penny:
Thanks! I think the red eyes creep me out a bit but skeletons and things I'm good with.
@Terri:
Thanks. I felt gross when I snapped that pic but knew if I didn't do it then, then I wouldn't. I have a lot of down time in the evenings to blog. :)
@Serena:
That lady would not smile. I think I spent 5 mintues cracking jokes trying to get her to smile!
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