I originally started this blog post well over a week ago, but I forgot to post it! I’m trying to get in the habit of posting once a week, but we’ve gotten into the thick of work and well I’m having too much fun to spend extra time on my laptop. Sorry not sorry!

As promised in my previous post, let’s talk about food- most of you know this my favorite subject. At any given time, I can pop out of my office or living compound and walk or take a quick Uber to some really good food. Swahili food is great, lots of meats, rice, and uglai is a local favorite. For you southerners, ugali is kinda like grits but less grainy and made of cornmeal. It’s a bit bland when served plain, but adding some local sauces or meat sauces and it’s pretty good. So far I’ve had the pleasure of visiting some Ethiopian, Indian, Tanzanian, and Mediterranean restaurants, all within a few kilometers  of my living compound. However, I try to cook at home as much as possible. The first week or so I was visiting the supermarket every single day trying to obtain everything I need for my kitchen; which was a total pain because you have to take an Uber (tuk tuk, see below) back with all your goods.

Typically Tanzanians eat with their hands, although most places in Dar es Salaam have forks and knives available because there are a lot of expats/diplomats/embassies here. I try not to use them if avoidable, because I know this likely won’t be an option when we visit villages…. but old habits die hard. Trying to get used to it!

We just found out today we’re going to Zanzibar in two days for our first field visit so I need to start preparing; for now, I leave with pictures of all the amazing food I’ve been destroying.

I never hit “publish” on this, so I’m actually posting this from Zanzibar. Be on the lookout for another post tomorrow to read all the work we’ve been doing!