Ilula-Friends-2017: A Day in Dar and the Fish Market Adventure

Today was above all else, an adventure! After getting in quite late last evening, approximately midnight, we made our way to our B&B, Wistas and tried to rest as much as possible for the following day. We all decided it best to start the next day a little later due to all the traveling. The next day, after much needed breakfast and kahawa, our group of now 9 (Louise and Margaret met us in Amsterdam and Prosperity at Wistas, decided to take a stroll to the nearby mall, Mlinani City Mall. This air conditioned beauty felt wonderful after our short, but hot, walk. We explored a little there and got the phones in tip top shape. We then decided to take a trip to the fish market where a very friendly man took it upon himself to be our tour guide. We got a real experience seeing some fish that I had never seen before, in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors. We learned today from our tour guide that pweza means "octopus" (which were plentiful) and "samaki" means fish. Randy thought with such a wonderful experience with the tour of the fish market that we should have lunch there as well. The tour guide offered us fresh fish, octopus, lobster, but the group decided fresh shrimp would be best. So, we asked a local cook to freshly prepare these little guys for us- and man I didn't realize what a process it was! As we waited a few of us decided to grab a spot and also get a couple side dishes. Prosperity recommended the chips mayai, which was basically just fries and eggs - but was absolutely scrumptious! So, with all the food bought and prepared, we had a light lunch at the fish market. After leaving, we made a quick pit stop at Cocoa Beach and had a cold beverage while sitting on the shore. Lastly, to end the night, a little dinner (and cribbage for some), then off to bed. Overall, the day was as I said before, above all, an adventure. To be in the center of the culture and really become immersed was something I will not forget. To see the bartering and selling of fish, and how much of a get together it was, it was very interesting. I forgot since the last time I went how much a single group can attract so much attention. It is both a gift and a curse. Tomorrow will be largely filled with travel, so it was wonderful to take a day and explore. And the food wasn't half bad either!