I have now been in Tanzania for 9 days. i came down to Arusha from Nairobi on a bus, stayed the night and took a 10 hour bus to Dar Es Salaam. The 10 hour bus turned into a 12 hour ride, 6 hours of which there were two screaming, kicking toddlers behind me. I then stayed two nights in Dar and took the ferry to Zanzibar, and have been in the main port town since.
I really haven't seen a huge difference between Kenya and Tanzania. Kenyans speak more english, and Tanzanians speak very proper swahili. They also dress a bit differetly, Tanzanians cover their whole body in traditional fabrics, where kenyans usually wear them only around their waist. But Zanzibar is so different. It is like being in Venice without the water. There are all these tiney little allyways, and tall buidings. The archtecture is beautiful. Kind of a mix of Indian, Ariabian and African. This was the main slave and spice capital for the East, so there were lots of different people groups trying to rule it, hence the indian and arabian influences. The people who are here now are 99% muslim, and 1% christian, buddist, and hindu.
Right now we are about 1 week into Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting for muslims. they fast from sun up to sun down. The women are also extra careful to cover themselves when outside. I don't know how they can stand the heat. they wear a dress, then a boubou (black cloak) that covers their arms and legs. Then on top of that a head scarf. The first day i was here i sweated through my clothes, and i was wearing a skirt and tank top. They also expect the forign women to cover their legs down to the knee and their shoulders. I find this a bit strange becuase all of the shops sell these tiney little beach dresses, but i guess they don't expect you to wear them? Two days ago i was wearing a dress that came down to my knees, but it was a bit windy outside, and it flipped up in front of a bunch of people. this is the thrid time this has happened to me in the last six months. i was mortified. i have been trying to be so respectful, always covering my shoulders when i go outside, and this happens in front of a bunch of people. at least i was wearing underwear.
About four days ago i went on a spice tour. It was so interesting to see how the spices in all my little jars at home, are grown. They had peppercorns, cardamon, cinnamon (acutaly is the bark of the tree), turmeric, vanilla (oh my gosh it smelled like heaven!) and on and on. it was so interesting.
After my time here though, i am beginning to wonder where all the money is going. They have so much money pouring into this little island from just tourism alone, but yet there are still many living below the poverty line. I guess it is the same old story of corruption and greed.
I am not exactly sure where i will go next. Tomorrow i am heading north on the island for a couple of days, and then back to the mainland. from there maybe down south? i really want to go to Malawi and Zambia, i hope it works out!
love to you all!
Suzanne
I really haven't seen a huge difference between Kenya and Tanzania. Kenyans speak more english, and Tanzanians speak very proper swahili. They also dress a bit differetly, Tanzanians cover their whole body in traditional fabrics, where kenyans usually wear them only around their waist. But Zanzibar is so different. It is like being in Venice without the water. There are all these tiney little allyways, and tall buidings. The archtecture is beautiful. Kind of a mix of Indian, Ariabian and African. This was the main slave and spice capital for the East, so there were lots of different people groups trying to rule it, hence the indian and arabian influences. The people who are here now are 99% muslim, and 1% christian, buddist, and hindu.
Right now we are about 1 week into Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting for muslims. they fast from sun up to sun down. The women are also extra careful to cover themselves when outside. I don't know how they can stand the heat. they wear a dress, then a boubou (black cloak) that covers their arms and legs. Then on top of that a head scarf. The first day i was here i sweated through my clothes, and i was wearing a skirt and tank top. They also expect the forign women to cover their legs down to the knee and their shoulders. I find this a bit strange becuase all of the shops sell these tiney little beach dresses, but i guess they don't expect you to wear them? Two days ago i was wearing a dress that came down to my knees, but it was a bit windy outside, and it flipped up in front of a bunch of people. this is the thrid time this has happened to me in the last six months. i was mortified. i have been trying to be so respectful, always covering my shoulders when i go outside, and this happens in front of a bunch of people. at least i was wearing underwear.
About four days ago i went on a spice tour. It was so interesting to see how the spices in all my little jars at home, are grown. They had peppercorns, cardamon, cinnamon (acutaly is the bark of the tree), turmeric, vanilla (oh my gosh it smelled like heaven!) and on and on. it was so interesting.
After my time here though, i am beginning to wonder where all the money is going. They have so much money pouring into this little island from just tourism alone, but yet there are still many living below the poverty line. I guess it is the same old story of corruption and greed.
I am not exactly sure where i will go next. Tomorrow i am heading north on the island for a couple of days, and then back to the mainland. from there maybe down south? i really want to go to Malawi and Zambia, i hope it works out!
love to you all!
Suzanne
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