Live like an African

I Live well, well I definitely eat well as all my trousers are magically shrinking in size. I dress well especially the clean pressed pilots uniform, that's thanks to my full time maid (she washes all the clothes by hand!).

Apart from this, the first impression from a westerner maybe to label our existence here as subsistence. I drive a Toyota, Mark2 a family saloon from the mid 1990's, this is the car of the masses in Dar es Salaam. The one I have sits low on the drivers side (maybe my trouser shrinking problem is indirectly related to the car suspension problem), it is covered in dents and scratches (some because of a certain Australian female driver who is dear to me). The radiator over heats at least once a month in Dar es Salaam traffic jams.

The apartment complex that my partner and I live in is not the most attractive building ever built...if it was located somewhere like South central L.A. you would expect to hear gunshots and see drug dealers lounging outside. There is a rubbish pile out the front of our building which serves as the compound dump and is only cleaned up once a month.


Two nights ago the Congolese family in the apartment above mine were having a party, it didn't bother too much me because occasionally I have a few pilots over and I know we are not quiet especially when Konyagi is involved (Tanzanian Gin, I'm not too fond of it personally). Anyway an expatriate from another apartment building in our compound went up and knocked on their door to complain......what a mistake these people were in a state beyond reasoning. I went out into the stairwell to view the uproar only to have a pint of beer thrown over me and then a glass vase about to come my way was a good cue to retreat back into my apartment to relative safety. It was a bit of excitement for a quiet Monday night.


It's not all that bad if you look past the aesthetics its actually a really sweet life style here. I only rent the car for a nominal amount per month, I wouldn't want to drive a expensive car here drivers are reckless (its the only time Tanzanians are ever in a hurry, I mean no offence) plus the rental company/guy rescues me off the road whenever I break down. My Apartment is actually really nice inside and comfortable. Its located in a area my partner and I could never afford to live if our companies didn't pay the rent. The neighbours upstairs well that's just bad luck, we all have neighbours we dislike from time to time.


With all this considered I live like a king, my partner and I could not maintain this lifestyle back in New Zealand. I hate Sundays when the maid has her day off.......it means I have to do dishes.

Also check out:

http://www.africanbushpilot.com/