First impressions

October 3, 2009

Aside from our situational problems, our time here in Arusha is wonderful although very overwhelming so far. I still haven’t adjusted to the 9 hour time difference, and when I do get to bed, there are so many dogs that bark in a chain reaction that completely interrupt the sleep cycle. We walk everywhere though, so that helps to wear me out during the day.

Walking through town is much like what I thought it would be, however, there is no way to prepare for it. I have never seen poverty like this in my life, but each and every shop looks so inviting and the produce and merchandise look very inviting. The adults are always very friendly, but the children are magical. They are starting to learn English in school, and when we walk by, it is their one chance to really practice. Their exclamations are either “Good morning,” or “How are you?”, but they repeat it over and over until we respond or wave…so precious.

Two things that are very frustrating are learning Swahili, although we are improving, and bargaining for goods. Although many people speak English, Whit and I really want to learn Swahili to enhance our experience and it will improve our conversations with the local people, but I hear words that I should know and want to say a word in Swahili that I have learned many times, and I just can’t think of it. I guess I shouldn’t get to impatient since it’s our fourth day, and everyone is complementing Whit and I on our Swahili skills. Swahili will also help us with bargaining at the market, but in order to bargain, we have to know the prices of things…and there are a lot of prices to learn…agh.

We have seen two very different sides to African culture thus far: the local people who live in rampant poverty, and the ex-pats who live very comfortably in the city. Walking through town is almost strictly interacting with native Africans, but we have also seen the posh and exclusive world of white people (mzungu) in Arusha. We went to a concert at a restaurant with an Italian who lives just down the street from us, Lupo, and it felt like we were back in the states. The atmosphere would be very comfortable and low-scale back home, but here in Arusha, it seems very out of place.

Some interesting things that I have heard and seen:

For Dad, I have seen chiminillas here and in Nairobi.

For both of the Dads, I met a guy who farms trout about thirty minutes from here.

We found the office that the Simonson’s own for their safari business and are looking forward to meeting them.

Whit and I learned how to make ugali from Isaac, the cook, and I love the food here, but everyone says I will get sick of it….don’t think it will happen.

So many things are still confusing and overwhelming to me, and I will write more once we adjust to living here and start our placements on the 12^th.

Written by Zach