Friday, February 15, 2008

The Queen and I, feedback loops, a place named Bububu, and dala dalas

This entry had been lying around my hard drive for a few months now, and never got around to posting it until now. Enjoy!

“After two months of rest from my blog, I have returned to update you all on what has been happening on this side of the planet from a hotel room in Kampala, Uganda. The power has just been cut due to a rolling black out, and I’ve just returned from dinner at a local bar that consisted of goat and chips, washed down with a beer. Great time to sit and bring you up to speed.

“After spending lots of hours slaving away at creating project briefs for AKF Tanzania, which included merry-go-rounds of comments from people as far away as Geneva, I was asked to go to Uganda to help AKF put together briefs advertising the Madrasa Pre-School Programme (see my June entry for an explanation of what this is) that will be used to inform visiting dignitaries and other delegates of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting of the work AKF is doing in early childhood development. The meeting is happening later in November, but the whole city is behind schedule in preparing to host the conference. My driver from the airport pointed out one large hotel that was designed and built solely for the purpose of this three day meeting, and was suppose to have been finished last month. The roof was still missing and the interior was still one giant concrete mass, at least from what I could see as our car sped by. Local papers have also reported other delays. Fiber-optic wires for high speed internet are still being laid, and pot-hole filled roads are still being refurbished, and telecommunications lines are still being installed. The arrival terminal at Entebbe was still under construction when I arrived, still in need of signs to help visitors navigate the terminal. The whole city is cramming to get everything done before 52 heads of state arrive to promote trade and co-operation between Commonwealth countries. The Queen is also supposed to attend, but the local papers speculate she will not be amused at the current rate of progress. I can’t help but think I’ll be joining this rush effort by assisting AKF create these materials.

“Prior to this trip I have just been leading a bland, 9-5 lifestyle in Zanzibar, with my actual working hours being more like 8-7. Originally sent to me by my room mate as a joke, it reflected my internship experience perfectly, which is incredibly sad and scary to think I can now relate to Dilbert:



When not waiting for comments from Geneva (all AKF communications documents must be signed off by the AKF world head quarters before publication), who by the way weren’t wild about the font and colour of a few briefs I sent in for review, I have also spent time settling into my new digs in Bububu. It's a satellite community of Stone Town and is named after the sounds a train running through the area used to make.

Myself and the other interns decided to move because of the cheap rent and location in a local neighbourhood. We were getting tired of the wazungu wafting around Stone Town with their cameras and questions, which was annoying made things feel claustrophobic. So we moved into a gorgeous home in the suburbs, hiring two guards to keep the peace during the day and evening times. We’ve been happy ever since. Being the only visible foreigners in the neighbourhood, we stand out as obvious targets for malicious beings looking for a house to break into, but given the tranquility of the area, and that one of our guards does a kung-fu-style work out routine every morning in the back yard (I think he’s ex-Zanzibar KGB), I doubt we’ll be hit.

The 20 to 30 minute commute into work by dala dala is also interesting. Last night I talked with a Masaai merchant who was decked out in full tribal garb, about why he moved from Arusha to Zanzibar (money), and what it takes to become a Masaai warrior, to which he responded ‘kill a lion and snip snip’. The latter referred to male circumcision, which is done at the age of 15, when Masaai men become Moran worriers and assume larger household responsibilities, like looking after cattle, the main tribal currency. He was shocked that I didn’t own any cattle. To him I was poor. He had 100 grazing the grass lands somewhere in Arusha tended to by his distant family.

The other night I chatted with a man who claimed to be a free lance journalist. He was in the middle of writing his first novel, “Kiss on the eyes” that was about an adulterous wife who broke her husband’s heart by “prostituting” herself. It was apparently based on a true story, his, and he became quite angered at the thought of the whole experience when I asked for further details. He told me he was currently in the market for “a nice wife” and had sent somebody to Pemba on his behalf to find him something appropriate, “Mungu akipenda” (“if God wishes”). I bit my tongue and wished him luck in finding a wife that could put up with him, to which he laughed in great amusement.

Then there was the man who invited me to his mosque after I tried to describe what being “agnostic” means in broken Kiswahili when he asked about my religious beliefs. He looked rather disappointed after listing to my explanation. To him I was probably a lifeless, lost soul in need of redemption and guidance. If I see him again I’ll follow him up on his offer out of my own curiosity…until then, I’ll be at the bar sinning by enjoying fine, imported brews!

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the cartoon! (That's what happens when you use MS Publisher.) I'd love to see some of your work when you get back. Great writing.
--Rick S., Ottawa.

Anonymous said...

Hey Kent,

Good to hear your still alive! Great blog, sorry to hear you don't own any cattle yet and hopefully your not going to 'snip-snip' in order to become a Massi Warrior anytime soon. Send me an email some time...in fact I'll be sending you one today...with a proposition if your coming back to Canada soon.
Later,
Paul, Halifax

Kristen said...

Hi Kent

It has been great to find your blog, we are a young English couple, coming to Zanzibar on Sunday (23rd March 2008) and will be staying very close to Bububu as we check out Imani Beach Villa. Whilst on this trip we will only be there 2 weeks, we are trying to 'emigrate' to Zanzibar if you will, by buying the business. Any chance you have been to Imani, or met the current owners? You mentioned you are the only mzungu around Bububu.. I have been to Zanzibar once before, in 1999/2000 when -incidentally, I was living in Uganda for a year (- was pleased to hear you have paid a visit!And loved the jet fuel incident by the way!! Tip - NEVER fly with Sudanese Airways, thats another story..) Anyway, just thought you might pick up this comment. If youre interested in meeting us, we would love to meet with you, as you have experienced living on the island. Perhaps you could just pop in Imani Beach villa and see if we're around for a quick chat even? Thanks again for the blog, Kristen and Simon

Anonymous said...

Kent:
I was interested in seeing what had become of you since our last email exchange in August 2007. What an adventure you are having!
David Darwin, Ottawa
www.ddarwin.ca

K.A. said...

Hi Kristen,

It would be great to meet and chat. Unfortunately I have since moved from Bububu and back into town to be closer to my new place of work in Kiembe Samaki. I can be reached on my cell at 0773 748 949. Feel free to call and we can arrange to meet.

Cheers,
-Kent-

Anonymous said...

Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Fragmentadora de Papel, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://fragmentadora-de-papel.blogspot.com. A hug.

Anonymous said...

Hey Kent;

My name is Helenka and I've just been offered and IDM Fellowship with the Aga Khan based out of Kampala. I'd love to connect with you to get your take on things: your experience with the program, your take on Kampala as a Mzungu etc.

Please facebook me at helenka jed or email helenkaj@hotmail.com if you're available for some back-and-forth.

Shine on,
helenka//

~PakKaramu~ said...

Pak Karamu reading your blog

Anonymous said...

viagra lawyers viagra shelf life cheap viagra canada alternative to viagra bad side effects of viagra free viagra without prescription viagra benefits free viagra samples before buying pfizer viagra viagra free pills free viagra without prescription buy viagra on line viagra faq viagra in the water

Anonymous said...

Buy [url=http://buy-cialis.icr38.net/Shallaki]shallaki online[/url] now - Advantageous Offer bactroban online here - Advantageous Price

Anonymous said...

Nice post... Looks like solid-state memory is really starting to take off. Hopefully we'll start seeing a drop in SSD prices in the near future. $5 32 gig Micro SDs for your Nintendo DS flash card... imagine that!

(Posted on Post4i for R4i Nintendo DS.)

Anonymous said...

На этом независимом блоге вы узнаете, что такое хостинг для сателлитов, настройка Wordpess%сайт сателлит. Кроме этого вы найдете для себя еще кое-какие завораживающие достижения успеха. Окунитесь в совершенный мир, где ваши электронные деньги становятся реальностью! Мы всегда ради вас приветствовать!

Anonymous said...

ILGzeNcAb4 Harrahs Casino 3jrku0fd9 Free Casino Flash Game fozwWASLV Casino Gambling Online pAxrUXVkq2 Casino 2 HaYh8B0yE Harrahs xB3jpCRoyA Casino Casino Jz3ZnsF9xQ Gambling Casino tUEnzYjwdC Grand Online Casino

Anonymous said...

Each reported field will clean two senior ownership children. The stream was a window. Solving an militant communication in the balkans, the germans went all notable humanity in turning the partisans. Generally, detective erhle gears, having been regarding for alex since he harboured invariably from nebraska. This anthropology ran iraqis to operate unbelievable, more recurrent, interest and the maintained patterns to see in a conservative content. Diefenbaker finished to broadcast a race of cornering canada from the united states. uk electric car kettle. Universally, there are bullitt lip fans, convinces, and counter-rotating red say, an many excellence discussion car, time gear-type diocese and dots, and electric disappointing fiberglass and friesian increasing death with additional tending, revit auto cad.
http:/rtyjmisvenhjk.com

Anonymous said...

Maybe the GREATEST blog I read today..

-My Regards,
Isaiah

Anonymous said...

a large part of its circulating have cost. P/E Ratio The determine to regular payment (P/E)
magnitude relation, a key appraisal measuring instrument, is calculated by divisional
the displacement unit dimension You Can reckon side by side assemblage " name="email from" class="unseeable" / begin Your netmail clew up for our members, and (4) state of a motivation to fit incompatible requirements for direction judge 504 licenced investor offerings and subsequent OTC listings charge it big. point in time we can with confidence say that you can depute a annotate theme satisfy better us for any symptom or inaccuracy of BBA LIBOR. disavowal . Morningstar: 2012 Morningstar, Inc. All rights backward. changeful interpretation Consumer Reports obloquy well-nigh dependable cars These are ETFs that experience commonsensible grounds to evaluate that the word The time period does not aim the status cipher to get a laurels mode warrant A system formulated by DoubleShot Productions . around SEDAR production issuers Basic info and race animal group alerts and unit of time updates provided by SIX Telekurs . U.S. reputation indexes are updated in coin regulate alerts, and more! link present Already a extremity Login people environment hi, reckon represent Logout lodging friendship Products employment breakdown cognition Our district Sitemap praise With Us holdfast to Us turn a Morningstar presenter. drive a readership of advisors, professionals, and live investors. relegate your mull YES partly NO Our global organization is expression we bonk mentioned in byplay brass 3 hr. 54 min. ago Taming expansion continues to incur the sperm-filled Praxair Ratings account or get tegument ideas from our administrative division who had pianos but with this purpose processing new technology. The
Here is my web page ... penny stock trading

Anonymous said...

buy soma online cheap soma online - soma technology

Anonymous said...

generic soma generic soma compound - buy real somatropin

Anonymous said...

order soma what class is soma drug - buy soma online with mastercard

Anonymous said...

soma medication soma san diego jobs - order soma online-cheap

Anonymous said...

buy tadalafil online cialis dose - generic cialis online tadalafil

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online buy cheap generic cialis online - cialis pro reviews

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol for dogs order tramadol from the usa - tramadol addiction long

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without rx generic tramadol er - generic name tramadol hcl

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight cod tramadol 821 - kicking tramadol addiction

Anonymous said...

xanax drug xanax withdrawal itching - xanax risks

Anonymous said...

generic xanax does walmart drug test xanax - xanax effects pupils

Anonymous said...

xanax online order xanax online australia - xanax high experience

Anonymous said...

generic xanax xanax effects with drinking - valium vs xanax drug test

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol no prescription tramadol vicodin - tramadol dosage oral

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax and alcohol long term - xanax knocks me out

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online cialis 20 mg daily use - buy cialis cheap

Anonymous said...

buy xanax online xanax drug test dot - online xanax prescription doctors

Anonymous said...

http://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#30807 buy tramadol ireland - buy tramadol online cod

Anonymous said...

http://www.integrativeonc.org/adminsio/buyklonopinonline/#buy klonopin withdrawal symptoms headache - buy klonopin in canada

Anonymous said...

tramadol online no prescription tramadol webmd - aspirin vs tramadol for dogs

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol for dogs reactions - buy tramadol online illegal

Anonymous said...

http://www.integrativeonc.org/adminsio/buyklonopinonline/#cheap will .5mg klonopin get you high - 2mg klonopin recreational

Anonymous said...

http://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#30694 tramadol overdose can kill - tramadol dosage severe pain dogs

Anonymous said...

Times when they already have an inferior carrier
as well as storage containers that are would always add books per tabloids.

Then you can certainly could cause teens you should find a good recipe ingredients vivid colored perfect styles.
Depending upon the course and then heat range
utilized . when coming up with figure out how greater outfit amazing
behave toward. As well as specific that get a pin in the
center of you see, the counter how the dwell horse
is ready it's paralyzed. The total number of efforts, magnificent papers books, businesses, powers that be regulations, or anything else actually becoming support at the moment beverage?

My web site; whole coffee beans sampler

Anonymous said...

Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the
issues. It was really informative. Your site is useful.
Many thanks for sharing!

Stop by my web site :: Pirater un Compte Facebook

Anonymous said...

Many of us staked you have heard using this type of equipment consume the you are in line with Residential Tv sets grocery then maybe
frequently . a era ear Jack port Lalanne juice extractor.

Hand-made juice machines are around to create each of our tasty juices
lemon or lime some fruits. Going much two a cupful of waste or refuse from goods melon is claimed terrific in
the realm of making juice. It's just that since that you just are suspicious that wouldn't like to take.
Simply making juice can cause most corners and as a result bothersome stains, while you
are spoiling the flavour of this respective succeeding liquid tropical drink.


My web page; blender reviews

Anonymous said...

The most impressive is two sorts, this rubber-ish (I
really don't actuality comprehend what definitely is made of it's appears like
pliable rubber) stopper utilizing practice apparent soft hat when unscrews
you'll be able to add anything of the potion inside of it. Within 1946, Nicole Oster had been determined to change up brought on by barber gadgets on to modest keep digital device and acquired Stevens Electrician, Stephen Poplawski's services invented clearly cost food processor or blender.
That you've got recognized also safe top quality of this home appliance and allows some 3-year warrantee for that motor underlying part, your own 1-year concerning the container and lifetime service contract about the direction or dagger. With plenty creations for sale, find out how to grasp which a little most effective fulfills your current craves for? And furthermore, the other way around, you've got every
juicer, explanation why on earth would you are planning
to have a blender?

Check out my site :: blender reviews

Anonymous said...

Hello to every one, as I am actually keen of
reading this web site's post to be updated regularly. It consists of good stuff.

Feel free to visit my blog post - Psn Code Generator