The Heat / Humidity - January and February are the hottest months - take it from me it is very hot and humid with average temperatures around 32 degrees. The rainy season will be upon us within the next month which will be welcome and refreshing!
Toilets - the most common toilet in Tanzania is called a "pit latrine" which is a hole in the ground. It can be as simple as a dirt hole, however there are places which have proper finishing. Either way, it still requires you to squat to do your "business". They typically don't use toilet paper, alternatively they have a bucket of water to wash yourself. Some businesses such as Hostel Hoff do have modern flush toilets though.
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| An example of a Pit Latrine / Modern Toilet in Hostel Hoff |
Driving on the opposite side of the road than in Canada - I experienced this when I was in Australia, however it takes time to get used to again. Also, drivers do not wait for pedestrians - so it's really important to look both ways - a few times to be sure!
Inconsistent Power - Tanzania depends on water for electricity. As it is so dry, there is water and electricity rationing therefore the power does go out on a regular basis. They don't have a generator at the hostel, so we manage with lanterns, candles and flashlights (or torches as some call them). Most businesses do have generators.
Mosquito nets - as Malaria is a reality in Africa, everyone sleeps with mosquito nets. While Bush was president he made an arrangement with the Tanzanian government to ensure every Tanzanian will get a free Mosquito net.
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| Mosquito net on my bed in private room at Hostel Hoff |
Fires / smoke in the air - there is garbage collection where there is dense population, however in less dense areas and in the villages people burn their garbage. Also, having stovetops in a luxury not many people can afford therefore cooking is done over a wood burning or charcoal fire. It is common to smell smoke in the air on a regular basis.
Tribes - there are several tribes in Tanzania. The main tribes of Kilimanjaro are the Chagga and Pare. The tribe I find very interesting is the Maasai - in this tribe, the measure of a man's wealth is in terms of cattle and children. A herd of 50 cattle is respectable, and the more children the better. A man who has plenty of one but not the other is considered to be poor. Even if they are unable to feed their children - they are considered rich if they have many. The Maasai men are to provide a home, however it is then the responsibility of the woman to earn the income (selling milk from the cows for example) as well as taking care of the children. The men are allowed to have multiple wives, however the wife is forbidden to have multiple husbands.
Eating meat - the mindset in Tanzania is that food is not food without meat. I posed the question - how do they keep the meat from contamination as it is so hot here and there is little refrigeration, I was advised that they eat or sell the meat the day it is slaughtered. An alternative is to smoke the meat which preserves it.
Laundry - washing machines are available to purchase if you are rich, thus the majority of people wash clothing by hand and hang it on the line to dry.
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| Clothing hanging to dry behind the tents at Hostel Hoff |
"Africa Time" - Typically you can add a 30 minute delay to almost anything in Africa. If you want to be picked up at 330 pm, you ask them to come at 3 pm. That's just the way it is - no one is in a hurry. Things will get done...
Mzungu - pronounced "Mazungo" is what African people call white people. 
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