Over the last two weeks I've been reading my Peace Corps materials and filling out some paperwork. I think it's going to be extremely challenging. I'm actually a little more worried about the teaching part than the fact that it's in Tanzania. I do fairly well trying to teach people one on one or maybe a small group, but I think I will find it very difficult and nerve-wracking to be in front of a class with as many as fifty students. I couldn't ask for a better location, though.
Tanzania is home to Mt. Kilimanjaro, much of the Serengetti, Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi, a national park where you can actually visit chimpanzees in the wild (this group is used to people), and the exotic island of Zanzibar. I don't know what part of the country I'll be in, but no matter what part of the country I am I think it's going to be an amazing place to be.
My salary is going to be $165 a month. That sounds pretty paltry, but when most of the country lives on less than $1 a day, I'll actually be doing pretty well for myself. Most likely I'll have my own place, though I read that Tanzanians don't share the American concept of privacy and that there will likely be people, especially children in and out of my place all the time. I'm really looking forward to this because of the huge challenges I'll face because of culture shock and as I learn a new language and profession. More thoughts as they come.
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Heard a good show of Afropop Worldwide on the radio the other day. I came in on it as it was talking about some Tanzanian pop music of the late 70's, early 80's, supposedly it's heyday. This was some great, farout music. Hopefully you'll get to experience music like that.
Also, it talked about Tanzania being a fail Socialist state. But the Socialist experiment, especially the cultural efforts, did bring the country together, and thus it is one of the most ethnically unified of African nations. But you probably knew that already. But there it is.
Yeah, and the interesting thing about it is how Nyere, the man who led their socialist revolution, finally came to admit that socialism was an economic failure. He said he was totally to blame and willingly stepped down as president. Since then Tanzania has become a multiparty democracy. You don't see many dictators, or any leaders for that matter, acknowledge that they failed and step aside so gracefully.
Andrew: Be sure to see the article Tanzania at 15 m.p.h. in the NYT of September 4, 2005. (http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/travel/04tanzania.html)
Also, the newest National Geographic is devoted to Africa.
-ceily
Thanks, Ceily. I recently picked up a copy of National Geographic. That's a great article about biking across Tanzania too. I bicylce will be my primary means of transportation, so it seems particularly appropriate.
Hi Andrew, By now you are in Tanzania and I wonder what your first impressions are. Hope you like your host family - I know that you will get along with whoever they are. Also, you have surely started to form some bonds with your fellow P.C. volunteers - hope there are some nice young ladies there! Cab't wait to hear any news you send home. Love and prayers, Your Gran.
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