Subject: [Tweeters] Tanzania Trip Report - Part 9
Date: Oct 31 06:29:57 2005
From: Jack Stephens - jstephens62 at comcast.net


TIPS FOR TRAVEL IN TANZANIA

SWAHILI

Tanzanians are very polite and gracious people. Every conversation must
start with an exchange of something like "How are you today?", "Very
well thank you, and you?" "Quite well, thank you". While essentially
everyone speaks English, they are obviously pleased with any Swahili
that we learned. They will be even more pleased if you acknowledge that
their language is actually named Kiswahili; Swahili is a misnomer used
by foreigners. A dozen words go a long way, learn these before you go
and then build from there:

Hello Jambo
How are you? Habari?
How are you today? Habari ya leo?
How are you this morning? Habari ya asubuhi?
How are you this afternoon? Habari ya mchana?
How are you this evening? Habari ya jioni?
Well, good Nzuri
Very well, excellent Nzuri-sana
Please Tafadari
Thank you Asanti
Thank you very much Asanti-sana
You are welcome Karibu
You are very welcome Karibu-sana
Sorry Pole
Very sorry Pole-sana
Slowly Pole-pole

LAY OVER
We decided to spend two nights in Europe both going and coming. While is
cut down some on our Africa time, it did provide a nice European
"book-end" to the Africa experience. We stayed in Amsterdam on the way
over and London on the way back. Between the two I preferred Amsterdam.
It is more exotic with its canals and bicycles, very accessible, and
cheaper than London.

GIVING BACK TO TANZANIA
We wanted to give back in some way to the people of Tanzania. Many tours
will hand out treats to children as they drive by, and we did do some of
this. The downside is that it encourages the children to beg for treats
with each car that passes. Much better I think to visit a school or
orphanage and give supplies to them. Pens and pencils are in high
demand, along with some items unique to their situation (the orphanage
needed mosquito nets). We also made a cash donation to both places, but
this is entirely at your discretion. Ask your tour operator what they
would suggest. Don't pass up this opportunity, it is a great way to
connect to the people, and gave us some of the best memories of the
trip.

Jack Stephens
Edmonds, WA
Jstephens62 at comcast.net