Tanzania: Random Observations
· President Kikwete officially asked India for aid a few weeks ago. The project? A metro in Dar es Salaam. Not a bad idea. Just why do most people think this will never happen? Faith, people. Let’s keep the faith here.
· Liebi was pulled over by the police a few days ago, supposedly for running a red light, although she was merely following a line of vehicles that had been waved through by the cop. They tried to shake her down for 70,000 Tzs. When she demanded to be given a ticket, they whittled that request down to 30,000 Tzs. Again Liebi’s demand for a ticket. She was finally waved through. This mzungu was clearly not worth messing with.
· In the most common poaching areas in both Tanzania and Mozambique, you almost have to be wondering who is assisting with these egregious crimes. I get it, these places are vast areas that seem impossible to monitor, but I can’t help but think that somebody on the inside must be on the take. Even the recently donated trained dogs meant to sniff out poachers won’t make a difference.
· Snakes, snakes, and more snakes. A three foot black mamba was whacked by our gardener a month ago, and another couple I know reported a couple of green mambas underneath their car. Are these snakes really that fearless? No, they are just running out of food sources. If that takes them into people territory, so be it. It’s a ridiculous Catch 22 for these snakes. Stay out and starve or risk decapitation by a machete every day and find inferior sources of food. Being a snake must suck in this country.
· Tanzanian TOP 40: let’s meet presidential candidate number 40, Helen Elinawinga, who is the latest hopeful to join the Kikwete succession battle. That is also the sixth female candidate, just in case any of us were losing track.
· The Tanzanian shilling continues to drop. The dollar now equals about 2,500 shillings. Wow. It was about 1,600 when we first arrived here. That’s depreciation for you.
· You have to love it when politicians here talk about the possibility of candidates being tainted by corruption. That’s like saying there is a chance that there’s a possibility that a lion will eat meat in the Serengeti.
· Sorry, sis: crimes against albinos continue here unabated. A woman now was convicted of selling her sister’s albino baby. Ten years in the slammer for her. Not quite the same thing as borrowing some sugar or milk.
· Great. Now scientists believe that a major earthquake could hit Tanzania at some time, simply because these clowns discovered one that happened 25,000 years ago. After Nepal and Bolivia, I finally thought I was safe. I guess not.
· I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Ramadan can stretch your body to the limits in ways you can’t begin to imagine. The combination of fasting and extreme heat, however, is tough. 1,000 dead people later, Pakistan is learning this lesson the hard way.
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