Tag Archives: culture
Living in a foreign culture
I have been finished teaching for a little over a week now, and while I am still in Tanzania I want to take a little time to reflect on the experience of living here. I think maybe another post will … Continue reading
When the salesman comes to school
It is quite a regular occurrence for salesman of one type or another to come visit my school. They come selling books, household wares, and even fish. And almost always, their visits are met with great excitement by the teachers. … Continue reading
My school through my eyes
Something I am always very aware of at school is not only my position as a year long volunteer (teaching with career teachers), but that I am an American experiencing a different culture through American eyes. That in mind, I … Continue reading
The village visit
A few weekends ago, I visited the villages of the District Education Officer (DEO) and his wife, with two other WorldTeach volunteers. The DEO and his wife are both extremely generous and welcoming people, who, as good Christians, and as … Continue reading
Bob Marley Bags
Many Tanzanians like Bob Marley. His music is very popular with many middle aged Tanzanians, as well as younger Tanzanians, including my students. However, these people – largely – have not realized that he is widely associated with marijuana use. … Continue reading
Lines
In most circumstances Tanzanians refuse to form proper lines (or queues if you want to be British about it) , Americans form lines at just about every opportunity, and in some rare circumstances Tanzanians are induced into making lines, but … Continue reading
Personal Space
One of the things you quickly realize in Tanzania is that Tanzanians have a different idea of personal space than Americans. Nowhere is this more readily apparent than on public transportation. Americans in major metropolitan areas crowd onto public transportation … Continue reading
Freemasons and Tanzanian Superstition
One of the more interesting queries I get from Tanzanians involves freemasons. “What do you know about freemasons?” they ask. Often this simply comes up out of the blue, as though it is simply a topic that they have a … Continue reading
“At home” – Living in Tanzania
I was asked recently by a friend what I feels like to be living in Tanzania. I have tried to keep my blog detached from my own emotions and feelings, in order to try to capture, somewhat objectively, what life … Continue reading
Travel in Tanzania
Some previous posts have discussed Tanzanian travel, but having just finished a weekend trip with its own share of adventures, I decided to take a post to discuss the bus system in a little more depth, in light of that … Continue reading