Dave in his usual Hairy Dawg poseThe other encouraging moment was opening the doors to our rooms and letting the national newspaper fall into our laps. As you open it up to page two...there is a huge picture of Reginald Mengi and all of our students listening intently to his lecture. Nice to know that the American got positive press here. We were also featured on the 8pm and 10pm national television news. Practically celebrities I guess, both of our speakers referenced it when we met with them today. The link to the paper if you want to check it out is: www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2008/05/21/114830.html
Our first stop was at the Tanzanian Investment Center. Here they explained to us the various sectors of Tanzanian economy that foreigners can invest in including mining and tourism. You have to have a minimum investment of $250,000. Land here cannot be owned, it can only be leased from the government for a maximum of 99 years. The only person that can revoke those leases is the President...that would be a real hassle for him, so most people get to keep the land even if they are not using it for they said they would.
Speaking of the President. Pres. Kikwete is a bit creepy. Not as a man, but in the way that they portray him around the country. 
This picture hangs in every building that we have ever been in here. So weird, it's like he's always watching...eish. I feel like they have secret cameras in all of the pictures so they can make sure that nothing sketchy is going on in any building. It is an odd fascination, must be carry over from the socialist background.
This picture hangs in every building that we have ever been in here. So weird, it's like he's always watching...eish. I feel like they have secret cameras in all of the pictures so they can make sure that nothing sketchy is going on in any building. It is an odd fascination, must be carry over from the socialist background.
We loaded in the bus and drove out to Bagamoyo. This is a lesser known place and it is a real shame. We ate at the Paradise Holiday Resort and met with the owner to learn about business ownership and the hospitality sector. This hotel was beautiful...set on the beach and equipped with a bunch of little tiki huts. I would totally want to come back here and stay if I ever come back to the coast of TZ. Bagamoyo means to lay down your heart...it was the old gateway to East Africa...all of the European Explorers and Christian Missions and Persian settlers came through this port.
After hearing him, I think that hospitality would be such an amazing business. Making people happy for a living sounds awesome. How rewarding...plus you own a resort that is straight up on the beach. Maybe I can open one in like Costa Rica or something. That would be so ballin. He also gave us some inspirational thoughts that supported the believing in yourself and having confidence to take calculated risks without being careless. Also he talked about the value of being prepared so that when luck walks up to you, you are ready to strike!
I went and sat in their massage chair in one of the huts and just chilled out for a minute...it was like a little piece of heaven here in Tanzania. My back is still getting used to these mattresses down here. After an amazing meal with fajitas, pastas, desserts...we were hardly ready to hit the road. We headed for a walk down the beach and then finally drug our feet as we loaded up on the bus. The food in the past couple of days has been light years better than the first week and a half. I guess it is because we are eating with some of the country's wealthiest. I like keeping company like this!!
I went and sat in their massage chair in one of the huts and just chilled out for a minute...it was like a little piece of heaven here in Tanzania. My back is still getting used to these mattresses down here. After an amazing meal with fajitas, pastas, desserts...we were hardly ready to hit the road. We headed for a walk down the beach and then finally drug our feet as we loaded up on the bus. The food in the past couple of days has been light years better than the first week and a half. I guess it is because we are eating with some of the country's wealthiest. I like keeping company like this!!
I fell asleep back on the bus, but before I did we had some great times. One, our AC went out so we opened windows and took in the African dirt roads. Two, we decided to play karaoke and sing every song that we could remember the words too. Despite our lack of pitch or rhythm, no one jumped out of the bus...so it was a success.
The return to the hotel was glorious as we all collapsed in our air conditioned rooms. We went out to greet the Maymester students who have just returned from archaeological ruins in Kilwa, 8 hours to the south. We all chilled out by the pool with some drinks and enjoyed the restful afternoon as it faded into dusk and evening. Another routine dinner, but the next adventure was the Premiere League Championship...Chelsea vs. Manchester United. I am glad that I get to watch soccer in yet another foreign country. They just take it so much more seriously. Tomorrow is going to come very early...we have to board our ferry at 7pm and leave the hotel at 6am. ugh.
It's amazing to think about how much your life can change in one year. Last year today, I was sitting in the stands cheering the Tennis Dawgs to their National Championship title as Omi let that volley go over his head and out on court 4. I was also planning to fly out the next day to Peru to meet Marlee on Macchu Picchu. Amazing how one year later I am on a completely different continent and about to head to the top of yet another mountain. It has been quite a year...from NCAA's to Vandy's practice field and funny faces, to Blackout vs. Auburn, to beating FL, to Sugar Bowl, to Antarctica, Gatlinburg :-), Galapagos, Athens nights at Foley, the prep party at Lumpkin House, French Maid, Singing Whitney Houston and Akon, living in the house for a whole nother year, running to the buses at Pappy's, leaning on a truck's trailer ball, Robert specials, and lots of raspy voices...and now Africa. Junior year really was complete! Thanks for all of you who made all of those memories possible.
Sorry for the nostalgia...A couple of shout outs...
UGA MEN's TENNIS!!!! NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! Back To Back!! So Awesome guys...good luck in individuals.
Also, Baseball gears up in the SEC tourney against Ole Miss tonight. And Michael's surgery went well.
Miss ya'll...can't wait to hear from you!
Brittany
No comments:
Post a Comment