The AIO conference comes around again (we missed last year’s one in Algiers after we discovered that more civilians were killed in terrorist bombs in the Capital city of Algeria than the UK forces lost on the front line in Iraq!). This time it is in Dar es Salaam, a coastal city on the East coast of Africa, just below Mombassa in Kenya.

Our trip took us on Swiss Air via Zurich, which afforded us the delights of Swiss efficiency and good aircraft Cuisine - well the trip out of Zurich anyway. We stopped over night in Zurich on the way down and the flight touched down Nairobi en route.

When we landed we observed the gerneral things we judge our comparisons on African cities. Being my 11th African Country I was beginning to look for the same traits: the speed and behaviour of the traffic, the amount of after dark lighting, the level of litter or state of the public areas. Obviously the Capital City is able to demonstrate both the best and worst the country has to offer, much like comparing London with Dorchester, London has some of the best buildings in the country, the cleanest public areas, the grandest statues, but also has a homeless issue and piles of rubbish in no man’s areas.  Where as Dorchester is smaller, less grand but has a stable uneventful display of povety to wealth comparison.

Dar es Salaam too showed these traits, but looking at in in the same category as Nairobi, a previously British Colony until 1964 only a year after Kenya gained its independence. Before that, its two component parts, the much larger mainland territory of Tanganyika and the coastal archipelago of Zanzibar, had quite different histories. The former was a colony and part of German East Africa from the 1880s to 1919, when, under the League of Nations, it became a British Mandate until independence in 1961. It served as a military outpost during World War II, providing financial help, munitions, and soldiers. Zanzibar, however, was always a trading hub and never became a German colony, although from the end of the nineteenth century it was a British protectorate.

But the two countries are quite different. Tanzania uses Swahili as its main language, where as almost all educated Kenya’s speak good English. Nairobi is a comemrcial City of some prowess, whereas Dar es Salaam appears to be a relatively lowrise but pleasant city, relatively afluent with good quality and newish vehicles on the roads, which themselves are in good order. The courtesy on the road is good, with a distinct lack of agressive hooting which some African Cities are stigmitised by.

However where as Kenyan’s are very friendly: the porters and lift staff in hotels all say good morning with confidence and often start complete conversations, in Tanzania we felt there was a reluctance to converse and indeed the laisse faire attitide to, well infact almost everything. Asking for Tea for four seamed to need atleast one person per cup to organise it, and as with anything that is organised or designed by committee it takes an inordinately long time to complete.

Our trip started in the Blue Pearl, a 2 star hotel, which was part of a  larger shopping complex. There was a vodafone shop a few banks and a shop for white bathroom goods and tiles. It seams banks are not really designed to give money - unles syou have an acocunt with them, mind you at 12% interest rate it was sorely tempting if we could transact in Shillings.

The climate was hot but apparantly we were lucky it was nearly winter as the summer is unbareable. the accommodation was adequate and quiet and the roof top had a nice pool that allowed a panoramic view from the 12th floor over the City.

The Gala evening of the conference let us “enjoy” the drugged defanged 15 ft python handling by a troup of chalked faced clowns. I found the fire down the pants more entertaining. Phil and Mark Edmonds both experienced the Python, and as is the norm the dancing got underway at every event. I would like to thank my various dance partners, Mohammed from Morrocco, Zeru from Eritrea, Ian and Mark (his first AIO conference) from the UK. And ofcourse the other ladies who were equally prepared to enjoy the marvelous music from Reggae, Calipso and Indian style to Freddie Mercury, Simply Red and The Beatles! Hope from Kenya, Irene from Zambia and Prisca from Nigeria - well done girls!

After the end of the conference we moved to the Sea cliff hotel on the coast. this was a leap of standard and we enjoyed a couple of days in a better level of luxuary. A lovely pool and good quality food. However service was slow and you do need patience.

A week after our arrival our departure was due and we flew out on the over night flight leaving at 9:30pm arriving in the UK after the two stops in Nairobi and Zurich at 8am. However the connection was too tight in Zurich and our luggae remained on the Tarmac in Switzerland - being sent on a day later.

All in all a busy, commecially productive trip with new friends and relationships forged and our presence in the African Insurance Software market further cemented. However I suspect it will be a uphill incline to push the level of efficency we nee dto install new systems in to companies in Tanzania, but here’s hoping.

Please visit www.flickr.com/photos/treemad for my pictures… I hope Mark Edmonds has got over his close encounter with that Python!