Bustani

Garden.

Another day and another white shirt with dirty dog paws thanks to my friend’s dog, as we set off for an early meeting. We had to finalise presentations and discussion points for another day of government sessions.

A bizarre moment when the co-chair, a high-ranking government person who doesn’t have a background in conservation, suggested a response to the financial and logistical challenges of vehicle maintenance in Selous Game Reserve and Nyerere National Park, which together form a contiguous block and Tanzania’s largest protected ecosystem. Fleet management in protected areas is always challenging at the best of times. The co-chair’s advice was that park staff should go online, because Tesla has made its intellectual property freely available, and learn how to build vehicles. A nervous silence descended, Tanzanians never wanting to challenge a senior.

Today’s meeting was held in the city centre in a building adjacent to the Botanical Garden. During the break the rooftop provided a refreshing dose of greenery.

I was on calls far too late for a Friday night. Mariam intervened and dropped off a piece of chocolate cake, which was heavenly in the extreme and powered me through.