The Hitchhickers Guide to Tanzania
*When staying over night in Tanzania you must always have a scrub brush. This scrub brush can be used for a number of things. You may use it for washing your feet and legs (they will get very dirty due to heavy sandal use). It may also be used for cleaning off your sandals when sand build up occurs. A brush is also necessary for washing your clothes.
* When spending any considerable amount of time in Tanzania invest in a water boiler. They are amazing machines that you fill with water and plug in. The astonishing coil at the bottom of the pitcher will get your water boiling in less than five minutes! When you use a stove it may take up to a half an hour. This extraordinary contraption will save you a lot of time. Not only will water boil faster, but if you use the water to clean the dishes and silverware it will save you from wasting time being sick. It is also very useful when your shower does not have any hot water (again).
*Hand sanitizer may also be needed when you go out to dinner. The Tanzanians will often bring out a pitcher of water to clean your hands. You will never really know if they are washing your hands with clean and boiled water. That is when an extra washing with hand sanitizer may be necessary.
*Traveling any where out side your home no matter how short a trip, always bring toilet paper. A lot of restaurants, bars, and shops do not have bathrooms; if they do they will not provide toilet paper. When entering a rest room if applicable, you will need to roll up your pant legs or tuck up your skirt, so that you do not soil them on the foul floor. To relieve your self you will be kneeling over a whole in the floor. Caution to those who go out for dinner late at night toilet paper and a flash light will be necessary! A flash light is best held in your mouth so that both hands are free to support your self against the wall to keep you from falling over on the polluted floor.
*When going out for Kiti Moto (fried bite size pieces of pork) physically walk up to the pig leg hanging in the kitchen and point out what meat you would like to eat. It may be a little shocking to see a pig leg just hanging there and the cooks hacking off pieces of meat, but you must pick out your meat. If you miss this important step you will be given pieces that are mostly bone and pieces that are all fat. Hey, they have to give them to someone, but be smart and don’t let that someone be you!
* When you are out with your friends enjoying dinner and you feel like having a beer or a pop be sure you order a cold one. You will say the type of beer/pop followed by the word barede. As an example: ninahataji coka barede tafadahili ( I presently need a coke please) Many a night will be ruined if you forget to use the word barede and you have to choke down a warm beer/pop.
*When shopping at the market you will need to bring a big bag. Shop owners will often charge you extra money if they have to give you a plastic bag. A big bag is also useful to promote circulation. When you carry a lot of heavy plastic bags your fingers will no doubt go numb.
* When out in the market do not share your name with everyone who asks. Only tell shop owners that you regularly visit. If you are to free with your name it will be yelled at the top of the shop owner’s lungs every time you step within 30 feet of the market. They will scream it trying to get your attention so that you will shop in their store.
*It is important to note that you are in Tanzania and people are always late. You may have an appointment with someone at 3:00pm and they will not show up until 4 if at all. You may get frustrated at times, but take in a deep breath and the next time they ask to meet with you show up late. It’s the Tanzanian way. Omna Sheda (no worries).
* When making plans with some one be aware that Tanzanian’s live on a different time schedule. 6:00am is 12:00 asibuhi (morning) 7:00am is 1:00 (asibuhi) 12:00pm is 6:00 mchana (afternoon). Be very carefull that you and the person you are making plans with are using the same time schedule western time or Swahili time. Many mishaps will occur if a time schedule is not agreed upon, it may cause you to miss an important event.
*When volunteering at Tumaini University secure an office immediately, but don’t get too comfortable you will be moved. When being moved refuse to hand over your keys to the old office until you have the keys to the new office. If not you may be without an office for an undetermined amount of time.
* Walking anywhere in Tanzania can be treacherous. If the side walks are crowded and you are forced to walk on the side of the street, do so with caution. If you hear a car horn move immediately to the sidewalk no matter how crowded. Cars will hit you without thinking twice. The locals will tell you not to worry because they have taken the part out of the car that kills people. They say that if you are hit you will be fine, but following this information could be seriously bad for your health.
* You will be approached by many kids. They will all either ask you for money or food. Do not give them either. If you do you will be stalked by a herd of kids everywhere you go. Not only will they bother you, but they will also try to heckle the next unsuspecting white person they see.
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