8.23.2008

Last Post from tanzania

This has been the most worthless blog ever, but even so I decided that with the little extra time I had I would finish up my time in Africa. As I was riding on the daladala back from Arusha today, I decided that with my last post I would make a couple of lists.

List 1 - Things I still don't understand about Tanzania
1. Names of Daladalas- Or are they even the names? They are what is written on top of the daladala as it careens down the highway with its driver hanging two limbs out of the side and grinning like he has a death wish. Some examples: Unique Sisters, Bosnia, Sunset Beach, Del Piero, Jay-z, Mombasa Poa (Cool), One Love. My personal Favorite is Christ's Blood: Satisfaction Guaranteed. It's written in thug blood-drips font and just looks extremely hardcore.

2. Why it's impossible to tell someone something they don't want to hear- This had made things confusing for me on more than one occasion, and I think it really contributed to a lot of problems at the hospitals.

3. The point of Many NGOs- There are many that do a lot of good, but there are so much many more that just seem to be about doing enough to pat yourself on the back, get drunk, and then get the hell out of Africa. I'm not sure that I am really much better than that, but I've gotten so fed up by this because I just don't understand. Or maybe, I do understand all too well.


List 2 - Things I now understand better about Tanzania
1. Why it's so important to greet every single person- This one is a maybe. But I've been so encouraged by random conversations with people, connecting with people I never would have had the opportunity to at home.

2. Diseases and HIV in Africa and Tanzania- This was something I really wanted to gain a better understanding and I think I do. On the one hand, I realize how things are not as bad as they are painted to be in America. On the other hand I see just how devastating health issues in Africa are, and how rooted they are in frustrating things like politics and culture. Things which people have the ability to change, but won't or can't.

3. Swahili-Or so I'd like to think.

Oh, these lists could go on and on, but I won't try now. I need to get home and enjoy my last night with my homestay. Maybe later I will update.

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