Mambo!

There are so many ways to greet someone in swahili! I was very confused last week - but I think I'm getting it down now.

Mambo means - how's it going?
The usual response is "poa" - it's cool, I'm fine.

Habari? means - how are you?
The response is "nzuri" - I'm good/fine.

Hujambo? also means - how are you?
Sijambo - is the response for I'm fine.

There are some that don't have an English equivalent.
Shikamoo - is like a respectful greeting.
The response is "marahaba" - which means something like "thank you for your respectful greeting."

Unatoka wapi? Where are you from
Natoka Marekani. I'm from America.

I still can't believe I'm in Africa. I've told you a little about Karatu already. But there's so much more. I wake to the sound of cows mooing - yes, right in the neighbor's yard. And there are so many cows here - all wandering around grazing on the dry, brown grasses as their owners amble around, observing from a short distance. The cows are not like the typical american dairy cows - all black and white, either. They are brown, or tan, or grey, or mixed. Some are white. Some have masaii warriors tending to them. I also wake to the sound of so many roosters. They cry out all through the day, too - as if they are confused about the time. And there are tons of little chirping birds right outside the house - and at the office, too. Everyone seems to have a chicken or two running around in their yard. I just noticed that the house behind the office has a chicken with about 7 little babies running after their mamma. I fall asleep to the opera of crickets. It's sometimes so loud, I feel like they are right in my room!

I had my first shopping experience in Karatu market. It's sort of an outdoor farmer's market - difficult to explain. I will take some photos before I leave here. There is not a huge variety of produce. Most vendors sell carrots, potatoes and tomatoes. This area of Tanzania is also known for its red onions- so every nearly vendor has them. There is also garlic, greens, and cucumbers. I bought some bananas and a large, juicy papaya. The market also has a dried fish stand - perfect for Jolene's cat. And there are huge bags filled with rice and dried beans. Of course there are scruffy little kids sitting with their mammas - so cute, my heart just melts when they smile and say "jambo" to me.

I am trying some of the local beverages, too. I already talked about the tangiwizi - my favorite ginger soda. But they have a variety of beers - mostly lagers that taste very similar. Serengeti is becoming a favorite. I also splurged on a bottle of South African merlot - Tsh10,000 (about $8.50 - quite a luxury when the daily wage is much less than that).

Tanzanians think white people (mazungas) are all rich. And I suppose in comparison, we are. The average annual salary is about $360. But Tanzania is not a "poor" country - when you consider the booming tourism industry and the fact that it costs each person $100 to enter the Ngorongoro crater.

We are still waiting on the District Medical Officer to allow me to visit the hospital in town for a few days. In the meantime, I have been working on several powerpoint presentations for Dr. Frank and his staff.

Asante sana for reading!