Work
So my boss (and the manager of the entire WAGE-Kinondoni program) was away in Morogoro this week. This meant the office was much quieter (Joyce is a very loud woman, God bless her soul) and also more relaxed (Joyce, like most supervisors, has an uncanny ability of heightening the tension level). Since people were so busy with Saba Saba, I did not go into the field to do any interviews for more human interest stories. So most of my time was spent working on the brochure, which is progressing at a painstakingly slow rate and getting better acquainted with my first love (the Internet).

Initially, this was a bit frustrating for me since I am used to working at a break neck speed, but I kept encountering the same phrase, "There is no hurry in Africa...". Dear reader, trust me when i tell you, truer words have never been spoken!

My only worry is that I will not be able to finish all my work in time. At this point I only have 5 weeks left (my how time flies).

Still, I cannot argue with the pace. My physical and mental health seem to welcome the change.

Play

So even though work was slow (or perhaps work was slow for this reason), Tuesday was a public holiday (Saba Saba i.e. July 7th get it? ). This meant I did not have to go work! I had intended on getting my hair done (these twists need to go...) but there were no appointments available. So I settled on getting my hair done on Saturday and thought I would just spend the day at home chilling.

Then, David called and invited me to go to Saba Saba (the actual international trade fair) with his Aunt (who works for the Ministry of Health) and Dennis (his cousin). Even though I had already been for work, I decided to go again since not only is the trade fair what the holiday is meant to commemorate, but also this was the day most Tanzanians went so there would be more people there. Plus, I could get out of the house!

So David picked me up and we met Dennis and his Aunt (who is a really lovely woman) and we were off to Saba Saba.

So here is the skinny on Saba Saba
Tons of vendors (from everywhere) but even more people! It reminded me a lot of the Taste of Chicago (and I had to smile to myself at the thought). Still, it was a good experience (even if it was blisteringly hot!). We walked around, talked, saw the different vendors, and even went to a Zoo they had.

That was a bit of a sensory overload. There were SO many people trying to see what seemed to me like sad, depressed animals. Still, I got to see all the usual: Lion, Giraffe, Giant Tortoise, Snakes, Crocodile (or maybe it was an alligator), and a few monkeys.

Then David's aunt treated us all to lunch which was very nice of her. (The food was delicious as always.) We hung around for a bit more after that, then headed home. In all, I really enjoyed the experience. =)

Then the next day, when I got off work, Sheena decided she wanted to go out. So she treated me to dinner (Kuku Choma, my favorite) and then we went for drinks at George and Dragon and then Irish Pub.

Two highlights from that night:

• Serengeti: It is a hard cider they have here. More like a sweet ambrosia! Two big thumbs WAY up!
  
• Irish Pub had Karaoke!: Anyone who knows me knows, I LOVE Karaoke! So I ended up singing (and rapping ) All Falls Down by Kanye West in front of a bar full of drunk tourists and Tanzanians! I was going to sing I Will Survive by Donna Summers but this woman beat me to it! Still, it wasnt too bad. Plus, I need stories to tell the grandkids! ;-)
  

So that was Week 3, the weekend looks exciting. I am supposed to get my hair braided (which I am excited and anxious about!). Wish we luck!

Pictures
(Because of my internet connection, it takes FOREVER to upload pictures, so i can only upload a few. My Apologies.)

Part of Saba Saba. The Place was HUGE!
Random Pic

David speaking to this Asian Man who used to work for CARE (see! International)
apologies in advance for allegations of tokenism

Me and David

Dennis!