he's such a blessing

The guy that sells pirated DVD's where we take Swahili lessons is called Baracka. It mean's blessing in Swahili. It's fascinating to hear these new names that I've never heard before. He seems all free-enterprise like but I'm sure he's a socialist (which is bad, for those keeping score at home). Baracka always comes and says 'hi' when we have our lesson.

In the hall where we study is some 3rd World workout equipment. The boys come and workout here. It is a little to bench press centric but hey, at least they aren't machines. The dumbbells and barbells are made by pouring cement in a bucket and then, umm, cementing a bar in place.

I haven't worked out here but I did take each of the bars for a test drive. The heaviest one is the one made of car wheels. I think it weighs about 180lbs. They also have some dumbbells which weigh about 35lbs. No little pink foamy three pound weights here (lest you think I belittle them, I actually grabbed them to work my rotator cuff when we were at a "proper" gym last week).

Finding our "proper" gym has been a bit of a struggle. Firstly, back in Canada I don't really provide custom to places that don't have a web because I like to suss out exactly what I want, need, and directions. Here I'm finding gyms by word of mouth. The first place we went had bars that were bent from the heavy weight. The second place we went was so impressive we got a 10 visit pass. Now, it doesn't have a squat rack which makes me sad. And it doesn't have a bench rack which is more of a curiousity. I mean, it's the gold standard for assessing strength. And it's an exercise that you can lay down while doing. It's a westerner's dream! That gym also has a pool. I can usually take or leave swimming but it is hot here and I like to swim (in pools, not with crocodiles).

Today I found another gym that had a squat rack (which I found pins for eventually - I was starting to worry that the shorn off pin would shear off again and the weight would drop, sling shot to the other side and take out the window; or me). The same rack could be used for bench pressing. It is also cheaper than our other gym. 7k Tsh (~$5 US (and I'm hearing through the grapevine $5 CAN these days too)). And it's right on the ocean. I want to buy the gym even though it has tile rather than rubber floors.

Josey did yoga overlooking the ocean while I did man stuff inside. Now I need a nap.