Comments for Mobius

Comment on role play by mobius

mobius — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:16:46 +0000

The Role of Place
I’ve been home long enough to regain my sense of place in the world. It is an unusual aspect of travel that in order to appreciate where you come from, you need to leave and return. The familiar sights and sounds came rushing back to greet me as if I had only been gone a few days.
Our plane was late getting into Spokane and we arrived home shortly after midnight. The biting cold and snow was quite a shock to my body grown accustomed to the warmth of Dar es Salaam, but it was wonderful to be reunited with my family and share the joy of my experiences in Tanzania. The first thing I did at my house was to take a big drink of water right from the faucet and take a long, hot shower. It felt so refreshing. In the morning my wife and I went to buy some groceries. Seeing friends and family again at the market brought many good feelings as I became reacquainted with my neighborhood. We watched the Seattle Seahawks football team on the television, followed by the Washington State and Gonzaga University teams playing basketball. All three of my favorite teams won that day. What a great homecoming! The ‘welcome home’ feelings continued on Sunday at the church service followed by a big family dinner. I fell asleep to my favorite radio program, Prairie Home Companion. Washington State University classes began that Monday which meant a long drive through the rolling hills of the Palouse Country; a sleeping giant in winter. I was feeling good to be home.
My perspective of the place where I live is a bit different now. Yes, the water is clean and cold. The water in Spokane comes from an aquifer that had provided water to the region for centuries. I have a greater sense of responsibility to do my part to keep it clean and speak out when development jeopardizes the safety of our water. The electricity works and the internet is available when I need it, but it leaves little time to just sit and think. We have more than enough to eat, yet I am gaining weight again in our land of supersized burgers and fries. I recognize the billboards and advertizing enticing us to “buy, buy, and buy” and it makes me realize that inconveniences are only felt by those who have too much already. It is easy to get around with our car and good roads, but that only increases the pace of life. I am reminded of Sarah Swai’s reflections on life in the North after her visit to the Netherlands: “You have no time to walk slowly as we do. No time to wait for the dalla-dalla to see if another might come. Pole sana Mark, such a desperate life”. During my rare occasions to pause and reflect, I could not agree more.
I have been given the opportunity to gain these new perspectives on my home because of my travels. I feel my home has extended to Dar es Salaam. Dr. Kainkwa expressed regarding my stay with his family, “This was an issue of both sides. It could not have been possible if you had not decided to live an African life”. The karibu of his family will never wear off and my time with them allowed me to see Tanzania in new ways. Dr. Chijoriga explained just before I returned, “When you open a window in your mind, you create a space to fill with all you see though it”. I saw much indeed through that window which has filled my heart as well as my mind.

Comment on Tanzania by mobius

mobius — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:24:02 +0000

Amanda-
I’m glad to hear the special delivery reached you. I had a wonderful experience in Tanzania and hope to return someday. Keep up the good work that you are doing. You know how important it is. I trust our paths will cross someday, either here in the US or in TZ. For those who are not familiar with how mail gets delivered, here is the story behind how Amanda received a message from me:
Her father read in my father’s Christmas letter that I was in Tanzania and contacted him with Amanda’s information. After receiving an email from my father, I asked my host family in Dar es Salaam where Magamba is. Fortunatly, our housegirl, Maggie, was going home for the holidays and let me know she would pass through there on the bus to her village. I wrote a note to Amanda and sent it off with Maggie. She left it at the bus stop with instructions to get the message to the Mzungu Mwalimu (white teacher) and sure enough it got into the right hands. For those who would like to see what Amanda is up to, please visit: http://sekucoview.wordpress.com/.
Karibu tena,
Mark

Comment on Tanzania by Amanda Grant

Amanda Grant — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:46:04 +0000

Dear Mark,
Thank you for your wonderful note. It reached all the way to Magamba, TZ. I hope that you have enjoyed your time here in Tanzania as much as I am and next time we are both in the same country we should meet.
Safe Travels
Amanda

Comment on Paparazzi by mobius

mobius — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:41:07 +0000

Hey, Kevin and Val-
I’ll begin my journey home after Christmas dinner here in Tanzania. I’ll spend about a week in France before the final exodus on 4 January. Yes, we will have some great stories tha share around the Supper Club Table. I think an African theme will be in order. As the holidays approach we have been enjoying kitimoto ( a pork dish only available from whore houses) and roast goat washed down with amble amounts of tasty beers.
Heri za Kristmas!

Comment on Paparazzi by Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:35:02 +0000

Mark, Val ran into Chan at Fredies sounds like all is well and it won’t to long before we will be together around the table with friends, food and wine talking of the adventure. Gearing up for the holiday rush at the restaurant, I have some roasted duck on the menu and brie in puff pastry should be good. Have safe travels and happy holiday’s. Can’t wait to for the next dinner party to hear about your visit.

Comment on role play by mobius

mobius — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 09:16:08 +0000

The Role of Religion
One of the things that have made a big impression on me is the level of religious tolerance that exists here. I went to church yesterday as everyone does here. It is unheard of to not attend some service on a Sunday. The Lutheran service is all in Kiswahili and lasts at least two hours. With three choirs, the time moves quickly! The Chapel is shared with the Catholic parish that holds Mass earlier in the day. Six hundred people are in attendance at the services. Right next door is the Mosque that is just as busy. Each morning I awake to the Mullah’s call to prayer as I’m only half a mile from the site. These religious sites share ground right in the middle of a State campus in a socialist country! If it can happen here, there is potential to coexist elsewhere. I think we have a model to learn from here in Tanzania. It has been fascinating to experience. Check out the recent article regarding a recent speech given by President Kikwete at: http://www.dailynews-tsn.com/page.php?id=9189

Comment on role play by mobius

mobius — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:26:41 +0000

The Role of Infrastructure
The bus ride from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya is 12 hours long through some wonderful country. Along the way in the Mikumi National Park I saw elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, water buffalo, and baboons. A spectacular Baobab forest graces the road alongside the Udzungwa Mountains. Small villages of traditional mud huts with thatch roofs dot the roadside that the bus travels through.
These villages are directly under the shadow of massive power lines moving electricity from the Mtera hydroelectric plant to Dar es Salaam. Complexes of cell towers, radio and television relays stations spring up every few kilometers. I was pondering the cruel irony of these villages looking up everyday to see electricity and communication capacity within view, but out of reach. The level of frustration must be incredible. Vandalism has occurred along these lines as well as the natural gas pipeline that spans the region. Little did I know that Bill’s article on the same topic would await me upon returning to Dar.
Even within Dar es Salaam, arguably the most developed city in East Africa, there are frequent power outages. The internet works well in the mornings when the rest of the world sleeps, but slows to a crawl once Europe and the States awaken. This is true even at the University of Dar es Salaam, the birthplace and central hub of the internet in Tanzania. Primary and secondary state schools do not have access to computers and most do not have electricity due to the expense. Those families that can afford private secondary schools are the only ones with access, creating a widening socio-economic divide directly correlating with the digital divide.
There are significant pockets of inspiration in Tanzania that give rise to great hope for the future. My research revolves around the NetTel@Africa program through the work of Washington State University’s Center to Bridge the Digital Divide. I have been interviewing the first graduates of this program that are now actively involved in economic development work throughout Tanzania. Progress is being made on multiple fronts, all involving Information Communication Technologies at some level. One manages a microfinance operation in Maasai country, another is beginning an e-commerce auto parts company, one is managing 200 community development projects, and two are involved in ICT regulation that is making significant policy impact. While my research is still in progress, I sense the potential for continued development of Tanzania as access to these resources come available.

Comment on Tanzania by mobius

mobius — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:52:52 +0000

Thank you for your kind words, Lee. It is so good to hear from you. Karibu sana to the Mobius blog. I’m not sure if you ever made it ti Tanzania in your world travels, but the few places that have A/C are coveted This is a beautiful country filled with some of the most kind and generous people you could imagine. I am learning a great deal. Most of all I am learning to appreciate what this part of the world has to offer and am thankful for the opportunity.
Tuwasiliane.

Comment on Tanzania by Lee Burgett

Lee Burgett — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:27:57 +0000

Mark – your folks shared with me some correspondence and your blog address. What an adventure! Like the Master Card ad – some things are priceless – and some elements of education can be had in no other way. You are giving in a big way, and you will receive in- kind. Best wishes. I will stay tuned to learn more.

Comment on Paparazzi by mobius

mobius — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:18:55 +0000

Awesome Kev!
I am going to learn how to make ugali before I come home. It is a staple dish here in Tanzania made of maize and cassava flour. It is served like sticky rice and rolled into a ball with your right hand then dipped into the sauce of your main dish. The main dishes are fish, chicken, and beef; either roasted or in a stew. They are served with a side of either cabbage or mchicha. Beans are another common side dish as are roasted bananas. Fruit serves as dessert and it is awesome! I bought two papayas as big as my head at the market for about 50 cents!