We met these girls - 50 - crossing this one lane bridge.

In local fashion they didn't want their picture taken. As children, they really did. Suddenly they started screaming and laughing and ran past as fast as they could. "Ally ally come and free!" (or what was it we yelled as kids?)

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Actual chain used to march people out of Africa in slave trade. See how it is worn on the ends?

Up to 1000 miles forced march in chains carrying 50 pounds is what wore out the metal. Men were castrated to prevent reproduction and protect the slave business. Then they were tied to a tree and whipped with metal tipped flogs at auction to test if they were strong. If they were strong and showed no tears or weakness then they would be sold; otherwise...

The slave trade in East Africa lasted until 1911!

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It takes an electrician to wire a village...

But in Stone Town Zanzibar there is electricity so what's to say?

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Watched a man spear fishing in Nungwi, Zanzibar. Off the coast the Princess of Qatar has her ship anchored.

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Jamned in a RAV4 tooling north on the coast of Zanzibar.

The last hints of sunset. Warm Indian Ocean breezes. 50s and 60s love songs playing loud in the car - songs my dad crooned. Bikes. Buses made from flatbed trucks. Women carrying bundles on their heads. Palm trees rising out of the headlights. Playing chicken on bridges for one. Men wearing the Baragashia caps and some in white robes like spirits. Somehow surreal and supra-real. The spice islands. Wish you were here. Peace! Sent from my BlackBerry® phone.

Bomalang'ombe is beautiful at sundown.

This evening Boma is beautiful. Cool temps in the 50's. The sound of people ringing through the mountains from the monthly market day. A festival atmosphere. But life here can be hard. 80% of the people test + for HIV. That's one reason Cheetah links economic development to human development. They come together and produce a virtuous cycle. Peace! Sent from my BlackBerry® phone.

No it's not a birdnest, it's a head cushion.

We came to a place this afternoon where there were many of these discarded. Workers had been carrying supplies through the mountains to a building project - of course, on their heads. Here's Tom wearing a leftover head cushion. Peace! Sent from my BlackBerry® phone.

Just driving through saw zebras giraffes baboons wildebeast warthogs elephants impala vultures cape-buffalo wierd-ducks white-people (lion-bait)

Here are pictures taken with a camera phone where at 50 yards things are tiny dots. Most of these animals were within ten yards. Does anyone remember the names of the warthogs in the "Lion King"?

Ray

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Passing Chalinze, Tanzania, on road from Dar es Salaam. Dar's 5 million connected to country only by this small road.

Also only road to countries of Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Malawi where Dar is a key port.
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Check out this picture for a new definition of a bus stop

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Peaceful nights - the building crescendo of frogs in suburg of Dar es Salaam.

10 pm phase one: frogs.

Midnight phase two: dogs

3:30 am phase three: roosters

4:30 am: competing Muslim calls to worship on mosque speakers

Ready to wake up? Wait, was I sleeping?

Can make you long for the peaceful bliss of traffic sounds…

“Rainy days and Mondays” (that was this morning - yes! – the rain makes everything better).

  
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frogs.mp3 (1489 KB)

My wife Lonnie came to Tanzania with instructions to keep me well! Today we're working on health of local neighbors.

People die young here in Tanzania. 10% at childbirth, another 20% by age five. One village where we are working, 80% test positive for HIV! About 12% of women die giving birth in their lifetime. Etc. Not statistics, these are real people. Our neighbors. But it can be different. We are working on sustainable village healthcare and group health insurance for poor villagers. The first effort of its kind that we are aware of. Truly integrated development. Economic development connects to human development. Just like the vines growing on this hostel where we stayed last night, we're bringing life. Peace,
Ray
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