It’s hard to find quiet back lanes in this part of Dar because it’s generally full of immense white-washed houses in private compounds. There are a few smaller houses on our road but I cannot imagine them remaining like that for long as the price of plots much put pressure on the owners.
It was Sunday and I needed to go to the Chinese supermarket in Mikocheni and I decided to walk until I got tired. I looked at the map on my phone and thought I’d try a circuitous route which I had never taken before.
It’s so nice to get off the busy roads with dala dala and huge 4×4’s rushing past throwing up plumes of dust and forcing you to walk in the dirt. The path less travelled was a good decision and although it took me a lot longer it was peaceful.
It was hot (of course) and it was a challenge to replace water into my body as fast as I was leaking it. I had a sweat rag tucked into the waste band of my shorts which soon turned into a damp salty rag.
I didn’t come across many people but those I saw were friendly and I stopped to chat. Market gardens and stone breaking shacks lined the track. At one stage a good of young children came to chat.
When they started asked for money I chased them away. It’s such a shame that what would otherwise be a nice exchange turns into something unpleasant which brings the meeting to an abrupt end.
It took me well over an hour to get to the Chinese supermarket and when I got there I picked up a big pack of toilet roll which was the reason for my walk. Tanzanian toilet paper is dreadful and imported western paper is ridiculously expensive so this is a really good economic solution.
And to be honest it’s really nice to see familiar products and it’s lovely to be amongst Chinese people again and chat in Chinese. It feels like home.