Therefore, while we sit on the front porch of our tent, after our first safari game drive, before dinner, while sipping South African wine, we enumerate all that we have come to love about this wonderful country.
Children - even those who we do not know - running up to us to say hello. With huge smiles on their faces, they sometimes call to us, "Mzungu!" we don't care, we love the attention. And we especially love those who give us a hug and/or high five.
The number of ways that you can say HELLO and HOW ARE YOU in Swahilli. It's not just the kids who are friendly. People are always greeting each other, even if the people don't know one another. It is a friendly place.
Speaking of friendly, we love all the friends we have made! Those at St. Lucia, of course. But also the daladala drivers who have come to know that every morning, we will be looking for a bus to Moshino. And let's not forget the street merchants. They still chat with us even though they know we will not be buying anything.
We love that there are many different people here, but that they all get along. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Massai. Everyone here is Tanzanian first, different second.
Hard workers - whether in the market, on the street, or hanging out a daladala window, we witness so many people working so hard... This country is not lazy! We know good things are in store for Tanzania in the future.
The inspiring HIV-positive children at St. Lucia... When they had to pick a name for a new orphan, they chose the name, "Winner." I don't think it gets much more optimistic than that.
Chapatti - Flour, oil, and water has never tasted so good. I will be introducing all of my friends to this glorious food as soon as possible!
Peas and carrots! Never in my life has anyone, nevertheless an entire country, managed to make these vegetables appealing to me. I eat them at least once a day, because I have to, but I don't mind. Really!
Mount Kilimanjaro. It is enormous, and yet it is welcoming. We also can't get enough of the landscape of Kili watching over Moshi and Mount Meru.
The Massai, especially their colorful garments, walking sticks, and adherence to tradition.
National Parks! At home we have Yosemite and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. But we don't have elephants!
Bottled water that is barely 50 cents per 1.5 liters! I will never pay $2 (or more!) for 8 ounces of DASANI / AquaFina / Poland Spring again.
CocaCola! You taste so good in a glass bottle for 75 cents!
Stationery stores that can't spell the name of their product. (Stationary?!) I laugh every time I see these signs!
Mosquito nets! It's a BugHut for the bed! A tent with a mattress! Camping inside! If only we could get a campfire going, too.
Karibu! Karibuni! You are welcome! Yes, we are mzungu; but we actually do feel very welcome in this country. We love you, Tanzania. We have three weeks left, and we promise to make the most of it!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
1 comment:
Are these alternate lyrics to Sound of Music's ..."These are a few of my favorite things" ???
Post a Comment