Came up with this picture from the MusomaBlog photo collections.
Can you identify this location? More importantly do you know of interesting stories and anecdotes surrounding this location?
Kundan Gohil nee Chudasama (Daughter of Late Mohanlal Dayalji Chudasama and Mrs Shardaben Mohanlal Chudasama) visited Musoma with her family during July 2008. She has shared her experience during her Musoma visit via a comment left on the ‘Let’s Talk’ section on MusomaBlog.
The description of the Musoma visit should have a place in the main section, where it can be shared with all Musomians effectively. Musomians will surely enjoy reading about today’s Musoma. Photos will be added to this entry once MusomaBlog receives them.
Hi! This is Kundan Gohil.
I visited Musoma with my family in July 2008, this was the most memorable trip I have ever had.
It brought some wonderful memories of my childhood, although Musoma has changed a lot. Everything seemed so small and the houses closer than I had imagined. I was only able to spend an afternoon to look around the whole town. I visited my school Nanak Chand as it was known and took photos. I also went to the house where I grew up in and asked the owners if I could take photos and video of the place. They were kind enough to allow me to take the pictures and video. I also visited my father’s shop, but could not exactly remember which one it was. I also took photos of my grand-father’s house (Dayalji Ramji Chudasama), his brother’s house (Popatlal Ramji Chudasama).
We walked around the market and bought some vegetables. The locals were a little bit uneasy for me to take a video of the market and said that I have to pay to take the video. Luckily I had someone who lived locally to walk around with me and also my husband Mukesh spoke fluently in Swahilli even after 30 years, so they left us alone.
I also took photos of the Jamat Khana and finally went to the Mandir in the evening with my daughters. It was very humbling to note that the same tradition is still kept since I left Musoma. All the locals gather in the evening at around 7.30pm to do satsang and aarti. The wonderful memories flooded back when we, as children, used to play outside on the slides and swings. We used to climb the wall between the Mandir and the Gurudwara to pick fruits. The older men used to sit at a table playing cards and the young male adults used to play volleyball.
I will try and post the photos soon.
Unfortunately, there was no one who we knew living in Musoma. The day that I left the UK, I heard that Kasimasi had passed away. Her son came to visit us late in the evening when he found out from someone that I was coming to Musoma, he thought that it was one of my aunt who had come.
My whole experience of Musoma was quite emotional, but wished that I could have spent more time there.
The only disappointing thing was that when we stayed at the Afrilux Hotel, the food had bugs in it, lunch and breakast. The rooms were clean and comfortable.
A note of ‘Thanks’ to Kundan Gohil for making the effort to share her experiences with Musomians.
Some time ago, Dr Manjul Vasant sent in the following image via email. It is a snapshot image taken from Google Earth.
Google Earth is a 3-D mapping /Atlas software. You will need a good computer to be able to download and use Google Earth effectively. Word of warning to all though: Once you start using it, you risk using up a lot of time, as it can be very informative, fun and dangerously addictive!
Anyhow, back to Dr Manjul Vasant’s email: Alongwith the Google Earth image of Musoma, Dr Vasant also sent in the following information to further identify some of the landmarks/locations.
MusomaBlog thanks Dr Vasant for sending this in and also keeping Musoma foremost in his thoughts. Our connection!
Excerpt from Dr Vasant’s email:
The airport strip is on the left of the picture. I do not know how to
caption it.
The other oval image is the football stadium
Mwanza Rd is shown in Blue leading to the ATM logo (Bank)
The bed sign on the extreme right is Afrilux Hotel
Google Earth Image:
Musoma | Google Eye View
This is another Hotel in Musoma. The Afrilux. This is located on Karume Street. The accomodation and amenities and room rates are similar to that of Hotel Matiola. This hotel is said to be owned by the Brother-in-Law of the owner of Hotel Matiola.
Hotel Afrilux
Karume Street, Musoma
Tanzania
Tel: +255 28 262 0031
Fax: +255 28 262 0534
Email: afriluxhoteltz [at] yahoo [dot] com
Pictures courtesy: Dr Manjul Vasant
A brand new hotel has opened recently in Musoma.
The hotel is named Hotel Matvilla.This has been built in the Musoma Emporium (Rao Family) building on Mkendo Street. Those of us who are familiar with the Musoma Emporium building will notice that addition of an extra floor. The owner of this Hotel is said to be the MP of Musoma
The hotel has a total of 25 rooms with a mix of Single and Double rooms all with en-suite facilities, and Air Conditioning. An added advantage of this hotel is that there is an open air restaurant adjacent to it.
The approximate room rate is $15 per night, which includes breakfast.
Hotel Matvilla
P O Box 872,
Mkendo Street, Musoma. Tanzania
Tel: +255 28 2622445
Fax: +255 28 2622294
Email: mwakazi [at] yahoo [dot] com
Open Air Restaurant, next to Hotel Matiola
Pictures courtesy: Dr Manjul Vasant
In response