Sunday May 11th 2008...Overwhelming Vendors

This morning came way too early, roosters...ugh. Well the mosquito net was a challenge. I don't think people around here are normally my height. I snagged a quick shower, quick from temperature, not being in a hurry...we failed to realize that there is a button to turn on the hot water heater. Breakfast was amazing...I love going to foreign countries, the fruit is so fresh. They serve omelette every morning...nice. We had a debreifing and headed into Moshi Town. the vendors waited just long enough for us to exchange our money then the rush began. There were guys that followed us miles trying to sell us everything under the sun. We travelled to a WWII cemetary, local hospital, pharmacy, and local shops. The town was a great taste of rural Africa. The local children are so cute, but they charge money to take pictures. We all headed back to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool and lunch.

So I just found out that the Dawgs won game two in extra innings, way to go guys... After lunch we gathered in the lounge, one of two rooms that "have" air conditioning units. It's more like small bursts of slightly chilled air. Mama Zara, the owner of this hotel, told us the story of her business. She is an amazing woman. She started as an airline booking agent and is now the owner of 3 hotels and 2 tour companies (lead trips to Kilimanjaro and Seregeti safaris), and shee books outside tours for her guests. She is one of the few employers that pays a base salary plus tips, and she gives her employees benefits too. She is consistently donating and working with local schools and orphanages and tries to employ the local Masai people as well. What a sharp woman. I will definitely be recommending her accomodations to everyone. (She's about $3000 cheaper than all of the US booking agencies too) Took a much needed nap this afternoon.

This evening a political science professor from Moshi University spoke to us about the political and economic history of Tanzania. I never realized that this country was a German colony and a battle sight during WWII before Hitler turned over all of their holdings. I could bore you with more history but i won't.

The Islamic soldiers headstones looked like this...how cool

My one greatest lesson of the day is negotiation and the price of things in Africa. Here, there are no stated prices and you have to negotiate everything. They have levels of prices ( foreigner, local, and friend) and you have to haggle big time. The hardest thing is that they will not give you a ballpark range, you have to offer the first price. Also, it takes a quick witted person to not get completely duped. The exchange rate is 1180 Shillings to $1 so you have to do very quick math to not get completely had. I refrained from buying anything today, just taking in prices, designs and typical items so that I'll be ready to go when we get to the capital. Space will be a premium so I'm looking for things that could fit in the palm of my hand. Well it's 10 and i'm wiped. The Diamond Dawgs just took the field for the rubber match at Vandy, and a win will clinch the SEC, can't wait to hear how they do.

Good night,
If you are curious, the ILA people are all keeping a blog too and the link is ugaintz2008.blogspot.com