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Published: February 15th 2014
This weekend, we spent going to town. We went to a grilled meat restaurant. You look at the meat piled at the end of the grill and choose a kilo of chicken or goat or beef. You get side dishes of beans or spinach or rice and eat everything with ugali, the polenta type starch that you form into a ball to scoop up food. There are western restaurants to go to, but they are not as interesting or as tasty, and they are much more costly. We went shopping for kenga and dresses, then we went to use wifi. It will not be easy to call home since the only time we are able to call is when everyone is sleeping. There are very few beggars on the streets here. Everyone is trying to sell something (therefore working ). There are women wrapping peanuts in newspaper cones. There are women bent over brasiers roasting corn. They will sprinkle salt and chilies on them. There are women selling mangos and potatoes on blankets. There are men selling durian, and pineapple. There are men hiring carts to carry big loads. It is all very busy and loud, with lots of greetings called
to each other and us.
Sunday, we go to the Heritage Culture Art Gallery. This huge complex has a large modern building that is very beautiful, filled with original art work modern and some antique. There are paintings, sculpture and furniture. There are many shops built in upscale Maasai like huts, where you can buy high end carvings, jewelry, gems, and masks. There are even life size bronzes of elephants and other animals in the grounds outside. We then went back to the Maasai market where we can afford to buy some reminders for home. When buying anything in Tanzania you must barter, it makes it more expensive for the locals if you don't. The prices go up if tourists pay the first price asked. I have had lots of recommendations for how to go about haggling. Some say to start at 1/3 the price asked and some say 1/2. I find it all difficult, the prices are sometimes unreasonable for the object, but most often it would not be any less at home. There are many keys words. You can ask for best price. You will be offered rafiki price (friend) once you have made a counter offer that they won't match. If you start to walk away saying 'asante' ( thank you ), they come back with a last price or take yours with a fierce look. I'm not good at it, but I am learning.
Good Night and Sweet Dreams
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janet
non-member comment
Settling in
Oh my dears, It all sounds so remarkably amazing.Every sight, smell action and custom all new and to incorporated into you experiences and understanding of a culture so different from here. It must give you pause to feel how privileged we are. I know that sense has stayed with me after visiting the townships in SA. This will be an experience that will be part of who you are going forward. what a unbelievable time for Jacob, too. It sounds like you are learning so much as well. Having a chance to see some of the cultural things beyond the school is a great bonus. Thinking of you both with much love Janet and David xoxoxo