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We began our visit to Tanzania driving in a crowded minivan down the bumpy roads to the northern city of Arusha and enjoying spectacular views of mountains, Maasai people, green and lush banana trees and wild animals. We arrived into Arusha at sunset and immediately went to the chaotic bus stop in search of a bus to the smaller town of Moshi. We were like the poor baby Thomson's gazelle in a sea of cheetahs as we walked around with our backpacks and the shield that we had purchased in the Masai Mara. We may as well have been wearing huge hats that said "TOURIST--please try to rip us off". The touts swarmed us as they offered us bus tickets and taxi rides for the equivalent of $20 usd. We loved this return to the less developed world. Eventually, we found a bus that would take us to Moshi for the local price of 1000 shillings--roughly $1.20usd. The bus was packed full of locals and rocking with African music. We were in heaven. The bus driver offered to take us straight to our hotel for an extra dollar. It was dark and we were not aware of our surroundings, so we gratefully accepted his offer.
We made many friends while in Moshi. Here is Kelly with our friend Irene who runs the small shop where we would purchase our Coca Colas and Fanta Black Currant sodas. Irene treated us to ginger tea and mandazi (flat donuts) during our last morning. We got to know Irene very well and we intend to keep in touch with this sweet and considerate young woman.
Prospus was the only waiter at the Kindoroko. He was always on the run, yet he always took time out to sit and chat with us. Prospus explained Tanzanian politics and popular opinions to us. There are two parties: the minority party which is named the CUF (Civic United Front) and the ruling party which is named CCM (the Chama Cha Mapinduzi or the Party of the Revolution). The last elections in Tanzania are still heavily debated, especially in the Islands of Zanzibar. Prospus is a very intelligent man. We told him that he needs to pursue a career in politics.
There is no doubt about it: the people of Eastern Africa want to work for their money. They work very hard. This young man should be in school. Instead, he is walking the streets and staking out the bus stops selling snacks and drinks to the people.
More entrepreneurs offer snacks to people through bus windows. While this may seem annoying, it is a service that is often greatly appreciated by those on the bus who need a quick snack or drink. This is the African version of drive-through fast food.
The Chaggas are the native people of Moshi and the Mt. Kilimanjaro area. Many of them are small scale banana farmers. Here is a Chagga man who is wheeling some bananas to the market.
The bus is never empty. There is always room for people, animals, produce, what-have-you; whether it is inside or on top of the bus.
Moshi lies at the foot of the Eastern Arc Mountains. A drive through the area is an event. We were amazed by the green mountains, forests, palm trees, banana trees, pineapple plants, small villages, road side stands and colorfully dressed people.
A colorfully dressed woman makes her way to the market.
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While
in Moshi, we stayed at the Kindoroko Hotel. For $12 usd we got a basic
room with a mosquito net, private bathroom, free breakfast and satellite tv (which
provided CNN and Kelly's favorite: Indian music videos. She loves
the music and the stylish big production). The Kindoroko also features a
roof top restaurant. During the day we could see life on the streets below
and Mt. Kilimanjaro. During the evening we could see thousands of
stars. Here is a typical afternoon on the street corner below.
