My beloved Dar es Salaam - Dar es salaam
Tips, suggestion and information about Dar es salaam: My beloved Dar es Salaam
In November 2012 I was in Dar es Salaam for my fourth time. I stayed for three weeks at a hostel called Eazy's Place at the outskirts of Dar. It was wonderful there because of the fresh breeze from the nearby ocean, the local atmosphere and the friendly host.
But I also liked going to the city center by Daladala. This is the best way to share the normal life of the citizen of Dar. Of course it's hot and overcrowded on the small buses but you can watch to the people and listen the sound of their voices. And that is what I like most of Dar es Salaam. I could stay at the corner of a street at least for 2 days looking at what the people are doing. I like their colourful dresses, the way they move, their beautiful faces and the way they talk and laugh. For me it's very exciting to see the Tanzanian people act. It's like a never ending movie! They are carrying strange things around, they are selling everything you could think of or just walking around with friends or nice small children. But whatever they do you almost always see them laughing or talking friendly to other people.
Sure there are a lot of other things you can do in Dar apart from watching people. There are nice beaches, like Cocobut Beach, there is the craftmarket at Slipway, there is Posta with its old houses, there is the village museum, there is Kariakoo with its Indian shops and the market and so on... You could stay in very expensive hotels or in cheaper ones. But if you like to experience the local way of life stay with Emil (Eazy) Mjema, one of the best batik artist of Dar es Salaam, watch him working and listen to his stories. There is nothing better to do!