Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Updated: July 5, 2000

Webmaster's note: The research team from Southern Methodist University is now assembling in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Over the next days, they will complete necessary permitting with the Tanzanian government, collect their equipment and head into the field for the 400-mile cross-country drive to Singida. Please check back for frequent updates!

Jambo,

We had a good but very long trip over here with a stop at the Royal botanic Garden at Kew and a ferry ride down the Thames to Westminster.

We already have our research permits and are working on getting our residence permits, Antiquties permit and space rented at the National Museums of Tanzania for a room to store our field supplies.

Dar es Salaam is difficult to describe, except to say that it is a bustling city in a developing nation, with lots of people and traffic. There seems to be almost no boundary between people and cars and it's a wonder that we don't see people getting run over... but we do see many near-misses! I've already had 3 delicious meals including traditional coconut chicken with ugali (wadded up pasty grits) and papaya with lime for breakfast.

Hopefully we'll actually leave for the field on Wednesday.

Kwaheri ya kuwanana,
Bonnie Jacobs