The end of my trip is near. In the next 18 hours I will be on a flight heading towards Istanbul, Turkey and then home! It's weird because I not only say Goodbye to Tanzania, but also to my blog. I shall end with stories that made my trip wonderful...cuz that's how ANY story should end - with stories, memories, and happy endings.
Tanzanians, in general, have taught me many lessons. For instance, when I came back from my Safari, I had lost my gym shoes. Thankfully, I'd had the better judgement to bring my backup gym shoes -- the ones that had been through the sewers of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, however, I did not have the common sense to know not to leave my gym shoes in open view in an unlocked safari car. Of course, I paid the price - they were stolen from me. I hope that they went to someone that really needed shoes and not a random kleptomaniac. Anyways, upon returning to Dar, I realized I would have to waltz in to Wards in my open toed shoes and introduce myself as my name is ___ I'm a __ year dental students from __...with sandals! Oh, the mortification. I then met Dr. S, who immediately brought me to her apt/room and literally gave me her own gym shoes! How can I forget such kindness and generosity?
Another story...in general, our ''mama two'' in Tanzania, Dr. M would do everything in her possibility to make us happy and comfortable. For instance, if I said Mama2, I need to find where I can get Internet... she would procure one of her sons..Dr K or Vic to find us the much needed Internet. From these people, I learned about sharing, giving and hospitality.
My next story is about how we are perceived. Most people here rarely have exposures to cultures other than their own...not to say that Tanzania is 'mono chromed'...But in general, most people have not stepped outside of Tanzania or its immediate neighboring countries. So, they would look at us in amazement when they would find out, that J, Nat, and I were from the US...And, their eyes would pop in amazement when they found we (all 3 are very different in colouring and features) were from the same city/state!
Soo enamored were some of them by the 'america' attached to our backgrounds, that often, it would suffice for them to walk by and feel near to us or say hi or introduce themselves to us. In fact, I received phone calls from our Bajaaji driver's sister or from the lady down the street who would call, and say hi and ask how I was just to feel near to me. In that sense, I appreciate the US for the melting pot that it is because with it comes exposure to people of different backgrounds. You quickly learn that all of the staring and furtive glances, and casual walk bys are nothing but curiosity and an innocent awe of what we are :)
Kariakoo -- any time we would tell people we are living at Kariakoo, their eyes would pop and we'd hear the familiar high-pitched "ahh?!" noise emerge! ...There are some noises and sounds and expressions very unique to Tanzania... Anyways, they would then make a comment like, oh, you're really in Africa there! Are you safe? And, we would respond that we love Kariakoo.
Kariakoo is considered the ''business'' district of Tanzania. We spend 20,000 shillings a night or USD $12.50 for a private room with: a full bed, refrigerator, TV with Aljazeera news channel in English, a private bathroom, fresh linens on the bed, clean bathrooms, Air Conditioning, a ceiling fan, a closet, a desk and Chair, a generator, and honestly. There has been NO theft what so ever. I even tested my theory by leaving out a 500TSH note one day. I hadn't actually done it on purpose, but noted that it remained even when I got back. Not to say that you are a 100% insulated here...but it's a good option.
In fact, as a warning I'd like to relate a story about that happened to our friend Mur. Innocent Mur made friends with a 'helpful' Tanzanian named Joneson. After a full day together, Joneson and Mur were walking back home when they were 'suddenly' apprehended by some ''Tanzanian police officers.'' They were told to enter into a random car. These men, took mur and his ''friend'' Jonson to an ATM , and demanded Mur withdraw X amount of money for breaking a non existent rule. Mur quickly caught on these were just common thugs but was forced to maintain the facade for fear of what they MAY do if they knew he knew they were not cops!!...The story ended with them dropping Mur back around Kariakoo and with him having paid them some X amount of shillings. Lesson learned. Don't make stupid decisions while in Kariakoo!
Overall, however, the hotel staff are very kind. They take care of you --- one day they provided me with an escort/security guard to go get some Daafu or coconut on the street at 10pm :) Moreover, they ask you to keep your valuables with them at the front desk as an added safety measure. And, overall, I only bothered to use one of the locks on my hotel door because that is how safe I felt in my space. Also, as a general rule, none of us walked alone on the streets after dark or went out much after dark unless in a private taxi with a driver we knew.
Lastly, Tanzanian men, to be exact, are 'touchy' Being that I'm on the other end of that spectrum (non touchy to the max...I am at least with non family/friends) it took some getting used to. I don't know if it is because they perceive American women as ''loose'' or if it's because that's how they are with all women... the men here will grab your hand or give you hugs on a whim. They have no issues draping their arms about your back or shoulders as through you are an old friend. Often, especially with the street sellers, I would often have to say, don't touch...cuz I"ll be honest, if I don't know you, please don't touch me. I'm not sure if again this is the American in me not wanting to be touched or if its the Tanzanian in them being more touchy...either ways, it took some getting used to.
My visit to the Balaji Temple here in Tanzania was also pretty amazing. I got a chance to sit in on a Visu Kannu" or Tamil New Year bhajan (group prayer) event. I had some pretty amazing traditional Kerala Thaali Food after.
My hosts for my temple visit, Mr. and Mrs. S graciously showed me a little bit about their life here in Tanzania. At the temple, I got to feel what Hinduism in Tanzania is like.
I got a chance to pray to my family's main god, Balaji, and thank God for everything in my life!.
What else, ...OH Yes we had a day where we went to a English Speaking public School where we handed out stickers, toys, coloring pencils, rings, harmonicas, and toy soldiers/Indians. We also completed a little survey/questionnaire to asses the health information of children in that particular school. We interviewed 9-12 years olds on their brushing and dietary habits. At the end, we used SPSS ( a statistics program) to analyze the data we collected. We completed a mini report on our findings.
Tanzanians, in general, have taught me many lessons. For instance, when I came back from my Safari, I had lost my gym shoes. Thankfully, I'd had the better judgement to bring my backup gym shoes -- the ones that had been through the sewers of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, however, I did not have the common sense to know not to leave my gym shoes in open view in an unlocked safari car. Of course, I paid the price - they were stolen from me. I hope that they went to someone that really needed shoes and not a random kleptomaniac. Anyways, upon returning to Dar, I realized I would have to waltz in to Wards in my open toed shoes and introduce myself as my name is ___ I'm a __ year dental students from __...with sandals! Oh, the mortification. I then met Dr. S, who immediately brought me to her apt/room and literally gave me her own gym shoes! How can I forget such kindness and generosity?
Another story...in general, our ''mama two'' in Tanzania, Dr. M would do everything in her possibility to make us happy and comfortable. For instance, if I said Mama2, I need to find where I can get Internet... she would procure one of her sons..Dr K or Vic to find us the much needed Internet. From these people, I learned about sharing, giving and hospitality.
My next story is about how we are perceived. Most people here rarely have exposures to cultures other than their own...not to say that Tanzania is 'mono chromed'...But in general, most people have not stepped outside of Tanzania or its immediate neighboring countries. So, they would look at us in amazement when they would find out, that J, Nat, and I were from the US...And, their eyes would pop in amazement when they found we (all 3 are very different in colouring and features) were from the same city/state!
Soo enamored were some of them by the 'america' attached to our backgrounds, that often, it would suffice for them to walk by and feel near to us or say hi or introduce themselves to us. In fact, I received phone calls from our Bajaaji driver's sister or from the lady down the street who would call, and say hi and ask how I was just to feel near to me. In that sense, I appreciate the US for the melting pot that it is because with it comes exposure to people of different backgrounds. You quickly learn that all of the staring and furtive glances, and casual walk bys are nothing but curiosity and an innocent awe of what we are :)
Kariakoo -- any time we would tell people we are living at Kariakoo, their eyes would pop and we'd hear the familiar high-pitched "ahh?!" noise emerge! ...There are some noises and sounds and expressions very unique to Tanzania... Anyways, they would then make a comment like, oh, you're really in Africa there! Are you safe? And, we would respond that we love Kariakoo.
Kariakoo is considered the ''business'' district of Tanzania. We spend 20,000 shillings a night or USD $12.50 for a private room with: a full bed, refrigerator, TV with Aljazeera news channel in English, a private bathroom, fresh linens on the bed, clean bathrooms, Air Conditioning, a ceiling fan, a closet, a desk and Chair, a generator, and honestly. There has been NO theft what so ever. I even tested my theory by leaving out a 500TSH note one day. I hadn't actually done it on purpose, but noted that it remained even when I got back. Not to say that you are a 100% insulated here...but it's a good option.
In fact, as a warning I'd like to relate a story about that happened to our friend Mur. Innocent Mur made friends with a 'helpful' Tanzanian named Joneson. After a full day together, Joneson and Mur were walking back home when they were 'suddenly' apprehended by some ''Tanzanian police officers.'' They were told to enter into a random car. These men, took mur and his ''friend'' Jonson to an ATM , and demanded Mur withdraw X amount of money for breaking a non existent rule. Mur quickly caught on these were just common thugs but was forced to maintain the facade for fear of what they MAY do if they knew he knew they were not cops!!...The story ended with them dropping Mur back around Kariakoo and with him having paid them some X amount of shillings. Lesson learned. Don't make stupid decisions while in Kariakoo!
Overall, however, the hotel staff are very kind. They take care of you --- one day they provided me with an escort/security guard to go get some Daafu or coconut on the street at 10pm :) Moreover, they ask you to keep your valuables with them at the front desk as an added safety measure. And, overall, I only bothered to use one of the locks on my hotel door because that is how safe I felt in my space. Also, as a general rule, none of us walked alone on the streets after dark or went out much after dark unless in a private taxi with a driver we knew.
Lastly, Tanzanian men, to be exact, are 'touchy' Being that I'm on the other end of that spectrum (non touchy to the max...I am at least with non family/friends) it took some getting used to. I don't know if it is because they perceive American women as ''loose'' or if it's because that's how they are with all women... the men here will grab your hand or give you hugs on a whim. They have no issues draping their arms about your back or shoulders as through you are an old friend. Often, especially with the street sellers, I would often have to say, don't touch...cuz I"ll be honest, if I don't know you, please don't touch me. I'm not sure if again this is the American in me not wanting to be touched or if its the Tanzanian in them being more touchy...either ways, it took some getting used to.
My visit to the Balaji Temple here in Tanzania was also pretty amazing. I got a chance to sit in on a Visu Kannu" or Tamil New Year bhajan (group prayer) event. I had some pretty amazing traditional Kerala Thaali Food after.
What else, ...OH Yes we had a day where we went to a English Speaking public School where we handed out stickers, toys, coloring pencils, rings, harmonicas, and toy soldiers/Indians. We also completed a little survey/questionnaire to asses the health information of children in that particular school. We interviewed 9-12 years olds on their brushing and dietary habits. At the end, we used SPSS ( a statistics program) to analyze the data we collected. We completed a mini report on our findings.
Note pink tooth -- internal resorption because the tooth is near exfoliation.
Next, a confession. Despite my regular diet consisting of rice my entire lifetime, I can't lie when I say I enjoyed the bits of American food I would eat now and then in this country. For those of you nearing the end of your trip seeking that little bit of America -- ask to go to a restaurant called steers -- its near Samora avenue (another option for where to get souvenirs in case you don't want to go all the way to Mwenge each time).
Next, I also have the happy memory of celebrating Nat's 2_th birthday. ( A lady never reveals another lady's age, hehe). We ended up going to this Restaurant called Akeme on the 22nd floor of Jubilee Towers. Twas an amazing night of poshness and revelry. Akeme is a revolving restaurant that affords you a panoramic view of Dar. Here, I had one of the MOST amazing dishes I have ever eaten in my entire life. In the States I've been to Moto, Ing, and a few others amazing 5 star restaurants. However, my pesto pasta I had here can definitely hold a candle to the dishes I've tried at other restaurants in the world. The pasta had nuts, tomatoes, eggplant, vegetables, and so many flavors that all coalesced together creating spurts of flavors, textures and feelings. The number of ingredients the pasta boasts is unbelievable and to not have any one completely take over the dish...yum.
Finally, an ode to Pillie -- our travel companion. Pillie is a chipmunk that traveled with us on our Safari together. Him and my fan helped me survive this country. Both were also very popular with the natives. A number of them asked if they could keep either Pillie or my fan. My answer to both queries was no.
Lastly, I shall miss my mamas in this country. I shall miss our friends, and the leisurely lifestyle of hakuna matata. I shall miss Swahili, the simplicity of life, and I shall miss the life lessons.
I hope my blog helps you my loyal readers when you choose to take on your own Safari to Tanzania :
~ M
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