Lazy Saturday,
ate a lovely pear for breakfast. So far, the fruit has been amazing here. Although I was not thrilled with the oranges, they were dry and not so tasty, the rest have been great-pear, apples, pineapples, mangoes, watermelon, a great avocado today-usually the ones we skip at home because they aren't so good with the smooth skin and larger than typical. But it was yummy, along with the biggest juiciest lemon I've had in a very very long time. Just have to wash them well and peel most of them.

For dinner I actually cooked, well a little. Left over rice, a baby purple eggplant and a tiny white one, sliced ginger (also not at all dry), garlic all sauteed with olive oil, a touch of soy sauce and I threw in some cashews (grown here!) and a few of the wasabi almonds I brought with me from home. Pretty good if I do say so myself.

Just laid around today, sat at the pool awhile reading and playing with my camera (results below), even a little drawing. I felt good, I think I'm getting acclimated and more relaxed. I may get together with Saundra tomorrow, meet for lunch and maybe cruise crafts. I am feeling so fortunate that I am well cared for here. She is here from Western KY and is living in a hostel (which, if you happen to know Saundra is pretty hard to believe) with no hot shower, sometimes no shower and they wash clothes by hand and less to do where she is near the Univ. of Dar es Salaam. I invited her over for a shower and that I could likely throw some clothes in with my laundry. Then, reading this morning, the electric here went down. I was talking to Bridget the landlady and she said they are close to being out of water for the plumbing in all of our houses. Apparently the govt in Dar is saying they've run out of water and there will be a price increase. So she said they may have to wash clothes by hand for several days. She showed me the huge above ground and underground water tanks they use for the compound, pretty amazing.  But, oh no I just told Saundra to come here!  They already wash her clothing by hand she does not need to come here for the same. lol,  Oh well. At least it's a bathroom with privacy and any amount of hot water would likely be better. We'll see.  

I finished another mystery today, so glad for the kindle and that, even though I cannot download films, tv shows, or music I can get books and some games.  And the folks who own the place introduced me to a new yummy South African wine, Blackberg, have never seen it in the US, well, at least in Cedar Falls :-).

Ok, onto pictures from around the compound...

have several photos of these, very pretty berries but don't know if they are edible

he looks very flirty here, but he just woke up

leaf

another recycled Dhow  These are traditional boats, the bar, the benches, assorted pieces around the pool are made of these.  Another thing I'd like to bring back....furniture, tables made of this worn, strong wood,  lots of lines, cracks, worn spots in each piece---history

laying around on a hot day. This is Maxwell the sweetest rottweiler I've ever met. Only problem is that he doesn't realize how big he really is and wants to jump up on people, he runs up and leans against me, the first time I almost fell from the unexpected weight. The 2 dogs compete for love and petting