10 Things I miss about home

We all have our personal lists - of the zaniest/quirkiest/
funniest/ craziest/smartest ... We devote this page to them.

This week, Jamila Abri is a Tanzanian expat who lives in Dubai, lists ...

Taking a ride in a daladala (public bus): I miss the slang the bus drivers and conductors use. And the good music they play, sometimes I think they have better taste than some of the DJs.

Listening to public figures on radio: I miss election campaigns, especially listening to politicians speak on radio because their speeches give me so much hope. Whether they fulfil them or not, well, that's another issue …

Traditional songs and dance: Whenever there's a social gathering such as weddings, National Day, etc, people wear their traditional attire and paint their faces with the powder of a white flower. The performances are magnificent and leave the crowds yearning for more.

Oyster Bay: This beach is in the Indian Ocean. Every evening people take a stroll by the beach and buy all kinds of food - grilled corn on the cob, coconut juice ... In particular I like the way the vendors crack open the coconut and give it to you so you can drink the fresh juice straight from the shell.

Food: My favourite is ugali (cornmeal porridge) and nyama choma (grilled meat). It's so sad because most ingredients are not available here.

Jokes and playing pranks on each other: Usually during the weekend we drive out to a farm and in the evening gather around a bonfire. We share jokes and scary stories to scare those who're afraid of the dark.

Going to the market: It's always a buzz of activity. You meet all sorts of people, some trying to get a bargain, others asking for change. People coming in, going out. I like shopping for kitenge (printed African fabric).

Carefree life: People are warm and very friendly and there's a strong sense of community life. Neighbours are like family, you can ask them to babysit your kid if you need to go somewhere, you can ask a neighbour's kid to pick up some groceries from the supermarket ...

Fishmongers: They are a creative lot. They move around with baskets full of fish and and sing interesting songs while selling fish.

Speaking in my mother tongue: I miss speaking in KiSwahili. Here I rarely meet people who speak the language.