My first trip out of the apartment complex

March 27th
 Ater sleeping in from the exhausting flight I thought I would check out the local shopping center.  I was afraid of showering and washing properly because of the water and the stories that you hear about getting sick.  I still brush my teeth with bottled water but I have relaxed about the showering and I get ice cubes in my gin and tonic.  The locals Andrew works with drink from tap and it does look clear but I don't want to risk it.

Andrew was kind enough to print out a map for me and give me 50,000 shillings in pocket money to get me started for the day (£20 or $31).  I left our "luxury" apartment building and walked about ten minutes in the blazing heat (about 92 degrees).  Andrew thought I would be disappointed in the supermarket here but it turns out to be OK  as it has everything anyone would need and they try to carry  many brands like home.  Unfortunately it also has UK prices attached to them as this is where many expats shop.  My first purchases when I arrived........

 Now, the water bottle did not bother him but I am now into the second week of his friends and coworkers teasing me about the pillow purchase.  Andrew kept telling me that he got the last pillow in the market. Well yes he did of the cheapest ones.  This was the cheapest pillow the store had and it was a down pillow for 42500(approximately $26 or £17).  He said I had to fit it in my luggage when I leave Dar. I told him I was going to get ten more as I hadn't had a good night sleep due to the new rock hard mattress we are sleeping on.  This is what he would have preferred for me to sleep
on....

I am not a princess but really? The sheets are from the same place. I had to ask an English woman in the store if the prices included tax because I didn't know at the time (the price marked is all inclusive). The US must be the one of the only countries to add tax on top of the price at the end as I have not seen it anywhere else we have traveled to recently.  I now know why all those International guests in Vail have an issue with the additional 10+% added to their invoices.

 I told Andrew about my shopping experience and how there was a guard with a riffle in the parking lot.  He quickly corrected me by pointing out that he thought it was a shotgun. Not sure I know the difference but it was surprising how quickly he got used to seeing these guards.  I had no issues walking to the store and everyone along the way was friendly and said Mambo (informal greeting that means things and you respond poa - cool). People are much friendlier here than in the UK were many British are not so outgoing.

We have elected to not get cable for the new TV in our place.  Andrew purchased a Samsung mini (or something like that) so we can tether our tablets to the data plan on the phone.  It works pretty well as electricity and WiFi are sporatic at times.  We have a generator here that they will switch to when the power goes off (only about three times last month as we get a bill for diesel usage).

 Our apartment complex is billed as luxury but it is a bit dated and costly.  We pay $1400 a month plus electricity.  We had to ask for a larger housing allowance to make the living expenses work out.  There is competition for a small amount of supply.  Everywhere you look there are buildings going up in the area so hopefully in a year or two the market will even out. It's like New York rates for a one bedroom that stated that it was furnished.  It has furniture, microwave,stove and fridge.  We have purchased two plates, two glasses, two forks, two spoons and one sharp steak knife.  I brought two picnic stemmed wine glasses with me.  No toaster, no pans,ext.  We eat out every night.

 Andrew had to sign a lease that said we were responsible for all repairs.  In fairness the sofa, chairs and mattress seem new and I think this is what your money gets here.  It needs some repair to walls and some painting to common areas but overall it is clean and staff are great.  I had to call the maintenance man to fix the showerhead that  was broken and he replaced it.  I also told him about the broken plastic toilet seat.  He told me a price and where I can buy one from so I guess it will remain cracked for the time being.  I will spare you of the picture.
 The pool....