Mto wa Mbu

ISP has been a great experience but is definitely a marathon. On the bus ride to Mto wa Mbu, where I am collecting my data, we were squished in to the usual level, with people sitting in your lap, when the bus stopped suddenly. Lots of people got out and were peeing on the side of the road but then just sat down outside.  We were extremely confused about why they weren’t getting back on when half the bus squeezed into a minivan and left. It took us another 20 minutes to realize that the bus had broken down and we were waiting for the next one from Arusha.  After an hour, the next bus showed up, already full.  But there is always room for one more in Tanzanian transportation, and we managed to slam 15 more people onto the already overflowing bus.  Needless to say, it was an interesting hour’s drive.

Mto wa Mbu has given me even more opportunities to battle bugs in Tanzania.  Giant three inch wolf spiders, six inch beetles, and thousands of mosquitos have allowed me to toughen up my anxiety to bugs.  Also living here for a month has its advantages because I can get in with the locals.  My friends and I decided to go into town to watch a big soccer game that all of the locals were talking about. Manchester vs. the Arsenals. Soccer is huge here, and since most people don’t have cable, everyone in Mto wa Mbu was downtown to watch the game.  Two local bars had screens and everyone paid an entrance fee.  It was insane.  I have never been in a more fan crazy environment, and that’s saying a lot since I grew up as a Buckeye fan.  My friends stayed outside and grabbed a couple drinks while I went in to see the game.  The guy next to me kept making fun of me for being white and I was annoyed because the entire town was literally cheering on 2 practically all white soccer teams.  But I looked around and I noticed that I was the only white person in the crowed room of hundreds of people and one of maybe three girls. 

Mto wa Mbu has definitely exposed me to some new things.  My grandparents have a cow farm in Pennsylvania and the candy “cow tails” have always been pretty popular.  But last week I got to try my first real cow tail.  It was definitely tough, thick skin (void of most hair), not much meat and cartilage. I wouldn’t recommend it. And I don’t know if I will ever be eating the candy cow tails again.

My project has actually turned out to be pretty cool. I am studying cultural tourism, which consumes of me spending 5 days with Tanzanian painters, 5 days with the famous Makonde carvers, and going on tours with the tourists and guides.  The cultural tours allow me to “do research” by going on bike rides to lake Manyara to see flamingos and other animals, chat with locals, learn more about tribal cultures, drink local banana beer, and eat Tanzanian food. So I can’t complain too much.  I also got the chance to spend 5 days with the painters who are amazing and taught me how to paint giraffes.  And I just started my research with the Makonde.  But in addition to my studies, I am taking carving lessons from a different group of Makonde in the afternoons and they are incredibly nice. I am learning how to carve my own elephant and they promise me that I will be able to make one completely by myself before I leave. 

I really love Mto wa Mbu, the people here are amazing and the atmosphere is great. My next challenge is going to be making a Thanksgiving dinner without a grocery store, and with only a fire! I know that it will be an interesting experience! Happy Thanksgiving!