Nusu Nusu (Not good, not bad)

The area of my placement was affected of accidental bomb explosions from a military camp which killed more than 20 local residents last February. I was thankful that this happened while attending the language training in the countryside but felt sad for the victims especially to those who lost their loved ones.  Because of this incident, I had to stay in the city center of Dar es Salaam until my security clearance is released while my fellow volunteers have gone to their placements.

Our Kiswahili Class together with our Mwalimu (teacher) Benjie (standing R)

The delay was an opportunity for me to explore the city center.  Although, there was no proper orientation and no map on hand, I took the chance.  The daily experience taught me many simple things that help me deal with my survival in this foreign country.  Was able to discover routes and streets that can easily take me to restaurants and different shops from and to the hotel where I was staying, have practiced to negotiate in Kiswahili with vendors when buying fruits, and became comfortable and accustomed to the environment - the bad traffic, not so courteous drivers, Tanzanian greetings, and the attention from some of the local people who calls me MChina (Chinese) or Bombay or Indian but never a Filipino (they are not aware that there’s a country Philippines exists on the map).

Have learned to take dala-dala; this is a common public transportation in Tanzania.  It is a van converted into a bus, mostly dirty, uncomfortable, non- air conditioned and always pack with many people beyond its normal capacity.  The dala-dalas go around the city.  They are   much cheaper than taxi but have to bear the discomforts. All passengers are squeeze together inside. Breathing normally is impossible. Sometimes, I am lucky to get a sit beside the window but if I happen to sit on the isle’s side, can’t avoid to be pushed by the passengers who are standing beside me.  But I observed that nobody complains.  Like they are just glad they have a ride going to their destination.  It was just me who is having hard times.

And when not outside, most of my time was spent in the hotel room surfing the internet (not free wi-fi, have subscribed a pre-paid broadband connection) and occasionally review documents from my employer.  My room has no extra amenities – no television and no aircondition (maybe, these are defined as luxury by our (we, volunteers) benefactor or just an organization’s culture).  Since I’ve been staying in the hotel for too long, my presence became proverbial to the owners, staff and some regular guests. Some of them have shared their interesting life stories and hardships which made me realized that I am so blessed of many things in life.

Neighbourhood

Finally, after waiting for more than 30 days, my security clearance arrived.  My placement is in the suburb area of the City of Dar es Salaam. It’s not that far from the city center; around 20-30 kms. away.  The travel time is usually 2 hours because of unpredictable traffic.   The place is one of the areas in the city where the urban poor reside.  Almost like a slum but better than those I have seen in Bangladesh and in my country.  

One of the windows in my house

My house is in the same compound where the owners live.    It’s a tiny house but it suits my size.  It has 2 floors.  The 1^st floor is the kitchen and the bathroom and at the 2^nd floor is a little veranda, living room without couch but with a desk and chairs where I can eat and work, and the bedroom which is enough to accommodate a bed.  There are many windows.  They are large and open, no shields but covered with grills and screen.   There are no spectacular views to see around except the rooftops of the houses of my neighbours.

When I go out for work, the same familiar local greetings and from the little children; they greet me shikamo (a greeting to elders which means “I hold your feet”, the reply is ‘Marahaba - “delightful”), the attention from some locals and the dala-dala ride but it’s much easier here. 

Now, is my 3^rd month in this country.   Got some issues and difficulties but trying to surpass them all.  In the future, I anticipate that there are more to come.  But I believe that these are all part of my journey while searching the significance of my existence.

 

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

Maria Robinson