Today we managed to catch a live soccer (football as it is known here) match between The Dar Es Salaam Lions (Simba) and the Dodoma Police...man what an experience that was! We took a cab from the hotel to the stadium and joined the throngs of fans in the mile long line up to get tickets for 2000 Tshs each (less than $2!!!). At one point I thought there was no way we were going to get in but through shere diligence and football fanatacism on the part of Sandip he bullied his way to the front of the line (proper thing to do) waving his shillings in the air to get the attention of the gate master to ensure that we got our 7 tickets to get in. We had a little celebration ceremony on the spot because it was so amazing that he actually got the tickets! Mind you he had to risk getting his wallet pick-pocketed but was saved by Dan who had his back! (we definitely have to stick together here...)
On the way in to the stadium we were drawing quite alot of attention amongst the locals and as I was walking by one of them grabbed my hair to touch it....guess they dont see too many blondes in this neck of the woods....its no problem though, a courteous JAMBO! and all is good.
The game was fabulous....the crowd really got into it and we figured out right away that we were sitting on the Dar side...there just happened to be more seats there but we did go in with the strategy that we would simply vote for the team that the crowd around us was cheering for! It was too bad that Dodoma lost but the Dar team really stepped it up at the end and we managed to catch 3 goals although the first one didnt count as one of the team was off side....definetly the highlight of today.
Although, we were pleasantly surprised by an onsite dance troupe and bongo players at the hotel tonight....we saw most of it but had to go to dinner. It was very good african dancing that really mesmerized us....Roku was the brave soul that got up with the dancers and touched the fire and then did some fire eating...yes, just your standard day in Tanzania....
On the way in to the stadium we were drawing quite alot of attention amongst the locals and as I was walking by one of them grabbed my hair to touch it....guess they dont see too many blondes in this neck of the woods....its no problem though, a courteous JAMBO! and all is good.
The game was fabulous....the crowd really got into it and we figured out right away that we were sitting on the Dar side...there just happened to be more seats there but we did go in with the strategy that we would simply vote for the team that the crowd around us was cheering for! It was too bad that Dodoma lost but the Dar team really stepped it up at the end and we managed to catch 3 goals although the first one didnt count as one of the team was off side....definetly the highlight of today.
Although, we were pleasantly surprised by an onsite dance troupe and bongo players at the hotel tonight....we saw most of it but had to go to dinner. It was very good african dancing that really mesmerized us....Roku was the brave soul that got up with the dancers and touched the fire and then did some fire eating...yes, just your standard day in Tanzania....
Thanks for the updates Denise! You write really well, I can picture you delivering the courteous JAMBO to the hairpuller : ) Hope the bloggerthinger lets you get pics up. Maybe you could post some to your facebook?
ReplyDeleteok....thanks to my fantastic friends here on the project they have now directed me on how to get the pics on! Yeah!!! so should be no problem getting some good shots back on the blog! I will be technical some day!
ReplyDelete