Tanzanian Hospitality

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  Moshi, Tanzania
Friday, December 14, 2007

I have finally left Zanzibar.  I spent 2 weeks at the beach and about a week in Stone Town.  It was the longest I spent in any one place.  I would highly recommend Zanzibar both for its history and beauty.

The next stop in my travels was Dar Salaam again.  I spent 3 days in Dar Salaam mostly getting somethings crossed off the "To do" list (aka shopping).  I did go to church one morning which is something that I have been told I have to do while in Africa.  I went to a Lutheran church which the entire service was in Swahili.  I only understood "amen."  The tune of some of the songs were familiar. 

I started a conversation with 2 women that were sitting next to me and before I knew it I was watching "Lost" at one of their houses!  I spent the day eating and watching movies with the first woman (Tina).  She then took me to a "kitchen party" which is the equivalent of a bridal shower for her friend's sister.  There was eating, drinking, dancing, gift giving, and words of advice to the bride.  It was great! 

The next day Tina took time off of work to take me to the clothing market to get some clothes.  She was able to make sure I got a good price and that I didn't pay too much.  Most of the clothes were second-hand.  I'm pretty sure that they were clothes donated by Westerners who though that their donations were going to clothe poor Africans.  People who have stall space can buy a bale of clothing for less than $50.  I bet they get a pretty good profit off of it.  Africa is full of examples of people's best intentions going unrealized. 

Tina then took me to get a bus ticket and fed me lunch that same day.  She then waited 2 and a half hours with me until Joyce (the second woman I met) got out of school.  I went home with Joyce that night and spent the evening with her family.  She even had me spend the night which was a treat because they had AC in their bedrooms!  I had never stayed anywhere in Africa with AC.  I was actually freezing but it was a refreshing change.

I was overwhelmed by these women and their hospitality.  I have never experienced such kindness from total strangers.  It was on of the most unique experiences of my trip.

Now I am in Moshi in northern Tanzania, in the foothills of Kilimanjaro.  I have only seen "Kili" for a split-second when the clouds parted.  I conveniently was without my camera, however.  I head to Nairobi in a few days to do an overland trip.  An overland trip is basically traveling in a huge bus (even though they want you to call it a truck) and camping along the way.  I will visit Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzanian National Parks.  The trip will be about 4 weeks long, so I will get to spend Christmas and New Year's with a group of people.

 

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