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Saturday, February 4, 2012

Tanzanian Tidbits

Hey all,
Things have been going really well lately, we sort of started classes this week and it will be nice when the schedule is established.  Sculpture looks like it is going to be so much fun, and we are going to go to the carvers market soon to see them at work and to buy tools! I know I’m probably going to be terrible at it but I think it is going to be awesome. I think I will also be taking Development 101, African foreign policy, and either Sociology or History (I haven’t decided yet).
Yesterday, thanks to Christina who put me in touch with Emily, we met another American couple and had a delectable dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup. It was everything I thought it could be and more and I will definitely never take those foods for granted again. There were also a few Tanzanians who were studying at UDSM and Ardhi University and it was very interesting to hear how they view the Tanzanian system. They were telling us how everything depends on bribes and how someone is feeling that particular day. In terms of driving licenses, depending on how much you pay and who you know you can get any type of license you want, for instance the license to drive tractor trailers.  One of the guys also told a funny story about how he had gotten in an accident last week when a Bajaj (I guess I would describe them as three wheeled taxis that have open sides, but they are how we travel a lot in the city even though they are a little more expensive than the dalas) was speeding when they were pulling onto the street and they collided. He said that the Bajaj driver was so dramatic even though it was practically his fault. However, because the Bajaj driver was older than his friend, when the police arrived they believed the Bajaj driver because of his age. He said that age and money are key factors in dealings in Tanzania, and I have also learned that respect of elders is a huge cultural norm.
I learned another interesting thing about Tanzania while watching the news. No one owns land here. They can have the right to build and they own their houses, but if the government desires the land they can make everyone leave and then they ‘compensate’ them for their property. Technically they are obliged to offer to transfer their whole house but it sounded like that was not really a realistic option. Especially coming from New Hampshire where land rights are such a big issue it is interesting to see how the Tanzanians view their rights.
Anyways thanks again everyone from home for all the love, its been so great lately! :)

Much love,
Beebs

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