It's not always good to be called an angel

May.12^th, 2011

First things first! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ADORABLE, BRIGHT AND ENERGETIC LITTLE BROTHER WHO TURNS 7 TODAY!!! Hope it is amazing and you remember how much I love you! I’ll bring you a present home from Tanzania!!

So, it has been a few days since I have written. This lifestyle quickly gets busy and power is a luxury item. It was day two for our Kiswahili lessons! Our teachers are awesome and they make it a lot of fun. It is  

First off, some things I have learned while I have been out here for 10 or 11 days are:

·         *Toilet paper comes in blue and pink out here. Who would have thought?

·         *Toilets flush with the strength of a tidal wave, while the water in a shower drips out!

·         *Cold showers are the coolest thing since ice cubes… they are also not voluntary!

·         *Drainage is nonexistent. When it rains, the vehicles swim in “puddles” of water at least a foot deep!

·         *The power going out is as common as the sun rising

·         *Love at first sight is something they believe in here

·         *Driving into oncoming traffic is NOT counterproductive!!

·         *Sidewalks are for buses and any other vehicles… oh and yeah, pedestrians too

·         *There is no such thing as "the right of way"

·         *Seatbelts are optional if you are not in the front seat...

·         *Hit and runs are encouraged here...[I will explain below]

·         *A cloudy morning means a hot day

·         *A blue sky morning means a cloudy day

·         *Oranges are green here

·         *When you order chicken pizza... there is a 50/50 chance you might end up with just a whole chicken instead

·         *Tanzania's idea of saving electricity is to take one week and turn off all electricity in the city for 16 hours/day.

·         *In Tanzania you get your milk on the shelf, not a refrigerated section… That’s right! The milk can last as long as juice sitting on the shelves!

·         *Sugar cereal is $13.00 USD a small box [example: Lucky Charms, Nesquik, Reeses Cups]

·         *It is more common that an ATM will steal your money than a stranger standing behind me

·         *Most common female names out here are: Mary and Maria! Been here 10 days and I know 5 Marys and 3 Marias

·         *Rush hours are 6:30am-9:30pm [estimates… it can be longer]. For 90% of the time you are pretty much in a traffic jam.

·         *If your flax seeds are moving on your multi-grain cracker it is just added protein

·         *Tanzania calls their margarine/butter like it is: Fat Spread

·         *Pay-as-you-go EVERYTHING! Seriously. 

        *Tanzania’s slogan: Hurry up to Wait! 

*****NUMBER ONE INTERESTING FACT ABOUT TANZANIA [so far]: Moriah is pronounced “Malaya” which in Kiswahili means “Prostitute” or “Angel of the night”. SWEEEETTTT…[sidenote: I have started to introduce myself as “Maria” now]

I have been doing some editing with my placement and will be attending a African Wedding with Mary from Womens Fund Tanzania. I purchased a dress from mwenge market for about $14 dollars. I have been sick the last few days and I have no idea why. I am pretty low energy and I think I am dealing with some culture shock.

I’d write more, but I am pretty tired and I need to get up early tomorrow morning.

Moriah