Dar es Salaam

It's 7pm. Living in the city has its merits, and one of them is in the evening. The moment you leave your home and walk the streets, depending on the area and the wind direction, a beautiful aroma wafts through the concrete pavements and uneven roads. The spicy mixture of bbq grilled chicken, beef kebabs, and the likes can literally induce hunger even after a meal.

The small metropolis of Dar es Salaam is known for the amazing local cuisine which comprises mostly of BBQ food. Most restaurants have their precious grills on the city's sidewalks, as plastic tables and chairs dot the entrance to their heavenly kitchens. During the day time, enjoying fried beef kebabs along with a 'mix' of potatoes, lentils dumplings, and coconut chutney is the norm, together with a steaming cup of spiced tea.

Aside from the food, and on another note, the city that was known for its paltry buildings and ancient structures is slowly evolving as the skyline changes. Taller buildings are now cropping in place, although they lack the architecural design or color to complement the modern era as in other parts of the world. Due to the design of the city, not much expansion can be done within the city center itself and what used to seem as long distances back in the days, having lived in the West for many years, everything seems much closer around the city. In fact, it is no surprise that a 20 minute walk is enough to move from one end to the other of the city center itself. The disadvantge of having such huge (new) buildings within a stones throw of each other is the immense dust that flies across the dotted skyline as they are constructed mostly of stone and cement. Overlooking the negatives, it is certainly much needed space as the city gets overcrowded.

As far as technology, and ofcourse we include the business conglomerates and rich people in their safe havens that extend towards Oyster Bay and beyond, even the street hawkers and farmers seem to be on a roll with cell phones buzzing in their pockets as they stop their carts and baskets to answer demanding calls. This is as far as technology goes. Internet Cafes sprawl on various streets but speeds are ungratefully slow even though they register 100mbps on the flashing icon in your system tray. I was surprised that the cafes are almost full, especially in the evenings when the peak time reaches its climax as the cafes advertise competetive prices for their customers who are getting used to tapping information of the world from semi-private stalls.

Overall, the lifestyle here is extremely laid back. Work usually begins around 9am and runs through to about 1pm. A two hour lunch & nap is almost mandatory as the afternoon wears on with shops opening around 3pm and closing a little after 5 or 530. As the summer heat intensifies over the next few weeks, it is a city that leaves much to the imagination, and that imagination is now flourishing as we complete the decade mark of the next century.

It is a city that is truly a mixture in the global world; the new blends in with the unrelenting old, but with a hint of apology and politeness, people seem to be adjusting their lifestyle. I would not be surprised if food delivery from these restaurants begins in the next 5 years, but as of now, it's a luxury which is far below a cell phone, or as they call it here: a mobile phone.

Emirates

So my trip started off on a sour note. I missed my flight from LON-DXB but luckily, there was another flight in 2 hours - made it on the dreaded standby list.

The 10pm flight to Dubai was full - but despite the capacity of the flight, it was superb! Their inflight entertainment system, ICE, was installed on this aircraft and comparably, maybe just a bit better than British Airways.

The interior cabin was much better - brighter and the light made it seem spacious and comfortable. Their meals were amazing. Emirates has stepped up a notch with their service and plating, all too pleasing for the eye. No doubt their food and the concept of their meal selection is outstanding, cannot complain about anything yet.

I have heard some negative remarks on Emirates, but hey - when looking at the overall impression, I think it is by far one of the best services out there, and good value for your money.

My arrival was hassle free - with the exception of a surprise visa fee payment of US$100.00 for US Citizens now entering Tanzania. This is up by $50.00 effective September 2007. The process for visa is slow, but the friendly staff compensated for the long wait. I was very impressed with the courteous services of ground staff much to my surprise.

With the unfortunate event of having my suitcase taken by another passenger and returned to the airport 4 hours later, everything was smooth. Piece of advise: please check your bag tag label and name before taking your suitcase! :)

East Africa

So an unexpected trip now switches gear to travelling on Emirates Airlines. I chose Emirates not only because it was cheaper than British Airways, but the loyalty programme enhances reasons to do so. That, and the overall expectations of Emirates in itself is something that is worth looking forward to.

Their website has become exceptionally detailed with information of interest to anyone choosing to fly them, or considering their services. It is of particular interest to know that the website can be a little tricky to navigate, however, over time it seems to work well with the information they wish to provide EXCEPT for their booking system online which tends to get tedious should you wish to "change your search criteria". Unlike British Airways and Kenya Airways websites with fare information, Emirates seems restrictive.

Stay tuned - tomorrow's flight experience to Dubai and Dar es Salaam will be posted after arrival. :)

Emirates Logo courtesy of www.emirates.com

The Oft Talked About - My Views of Nando

Sooo... I have heard about this place from so many. From Dubai, to London, Tanzania (pause for this one please), South Africa, and Canada! The raved reviews were just that - good food, great chicken. And it lived up its expectations.

Six of us went for a much anticipated, and delayed, iftar at Nando's today (West Harrow). The ambiance was so beautiful and earthy, it felt like you were whisked away to a North African country. Their menu leaves your mouth watering... er no.. dripping.. at a rate of a faulty faucet.

Everything there, or almost, is chicken of course, but they are known for their sauces that seem to have a kick if you opt for the most spiciest of them all. Overall, I'd rate it a 4 out of 5, which is pretty good in my books!

Like I mentioned before, the atompshere was pleasant - earthen pots decked out around the restaurant, carefully placed. Miniature 'alcoves' making you feel like you belong, and chairs and tables that depict hand crafted elegance sporting a rough look, while the floors seemed they were made out of red clay, layed out to withstand the shuffle of the packed dining halls.

Must visit!

Hold On To Your Seat

I forgot to mention something of utmost importance as well during a flight.

My seat was the last row, window. Usually, that seat/row is almost always empty as passengers prefer leaving the aircraft sooner. Not this time, it turns out someone else had the same brain as I did.

So here I am, sitting next to a real gentleman, BUT, a seat hogger for sure! As polite as he was, the chap didn't leave me with much room to make it as comfortable as it could have been. His right arm overtook my entire left armrest, and then some. His elbow wasn't too far from poking my arms which made me push away more towards the window. Any more nudging, and I'd be hanging on the side of a B747 with the engine thrust, jet stream, and wind pushing me in a horizontal direction as my mouth bubbles open like a pregnant frog.

So I settle down to watch a decent movie, but his underside of the arm kept pushing all sorts of buttons that was related to my screen - ugh! But here's the annoying part.

The last three rows were divided 2-4-2, and we both were on the right side of the '2' seat section. His wife was opposite on the aisle in the 4 section, with THREE, yes THREE empty seats next to her.

Go figure!

UK Immigration

Ok so the flight lands on time, a very smooth landing, but what happens next wasn't so smooth after all.

The immigration control at Heathrow Terminal 4 leaves a lot to be desired. The gentleman I got was a brain dead (rear ended) who probably couldn't tell what hit him. While I had come to visit my relatives for the occasion of Eid, my intent to visit my mother was also apparent with my extended stay since she could not make it to London in November, but in December. So it would have been prudent of me to stay for 2 months as opposed to flying back and forth and spending an extra $600.00 for a flight.

Anyway, so he asks me why I am here, and if I had any money. Sure I did, I told him - $2.00 in my wallet. Then he aks how will I support myself if I had no job - but I told him I had my business for over 4 years, and our family had enough to sustain me, at least my father did. What's it to him? After much questioning, as if I was a damn terrorist, he says I was not allowed to enter the UK again for a 'considerable amount of time'.

He sounded like he was the father of all immigration rules, laws, and constituitions. Who the hell are you to tell me when to visit my relatives & family? And what if I was well off and didn't need to work for the rest of my life? Would that be an automatic bar to the United Kingdom?

British Airways

Another trip to one of my favorite cities: London! This time, I had a choice of taking Air Canada versus British Airways. AC was cheaper by over $100.00, but inflight service is of importance to me so I chose the non stop JFK-LHR on BA. Based on my last flight on AC, I doubt I'd be flying them again anytime soon.

The check-in, security, and boarding went very smooth. While the aircraft was a tad bit outdated (B747), the interior was pleasant and clean. Every seat had their own inflight system, which is of course pretty much standard these days.

Their IFE was much more advanced and had some of the latest movies around - uncomparable to AC.

The food - while the Muslim meal was a tad bit bland, it was interesting. A brunch menu consisted of baked fish with spinach - but the side dish of rice pilaf was BLAH (and overcooked). Again, comparing it to my previous trip in June - it was ahead of the game.

The flight crew were very helpful, polite, courteous. It was overall, a pleasant trip, and one I would always consider taking with British Airways.