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Tanzania Culture Vs The Tourist
ultural additions are the cruel African sun. There they
latest fashion when taking stand huddled into a group unsure
a safari in Tanzania. I of which way to go, what to do
think this is a good thing and looking thoroughly harassed.
although I must admit to having
one or two misgivings. The people A good start to enjoying your
and culture of Tanzania are cultural experience is to
wonderful and to share this organise a home visit and not to
culture is an inexpressible try too hard. Show respect; and
privilege. don’t be afraid of the dreaded
silence. Sometimes it is better
A genuine experience, a cultural to accept the silence and thereby
encounter of the third kind allow everyone to settle into the
should be top of your list if you stillness. We in the west feel a
are planning to pack your bags silence is a void that must be
and head out for sunny Tanzania. filled at all costs. Do not fear
There are, of course, many pseudo the silence; fear being the fool
experiences on offer. An who rushes in to make a noise
off-the-shelf cultural tour just where none is necessary.
won’t cut the mustard; you will
quite simply be left feeling The visit to a school or better
ripped off. still to visit a home cannot be
rushed. Leave your watch at the
Every town in high season has its hotel; it is an instrument of
groups of self conscious western torment for a westerner in
tourists doing their best to fit Africa. To share food, if offered
into the surrounds, when in fact is a must, to refuse is a slur to
they so painful don’t belong. The your host. Once you have eaten
white skins of the northern don’t hang around for too long.
Europeans freshly pinked from the Your host will normally wait for
you to say you are leaving. It is into an issue of discontent.
not rude to leave as soon as you
have eaten. Many times the These trips can end in tears if
finishing of a meal can signal not handled properly. I have
the end to the visit. witnessed, very occasionally,
people struggling with the local
Your new found friends will now customs, living conditions, food
be able to show you places you and especially the lack of water.
would not normally get to see. Plan your visit and look for an
You now have a personal guide who organisation, or tour operator
knows the area and the language, that is able to place you in a
who is not trying to sell you community and situation that you
curious or a safari you don’t will feel comfortable. Do not try
want. Suddenly you are not a to become a hard core mission
tourist. worker in one afternoon.
The next stage is to progress The Tanzanian people are truly
from the home visit is short term friendly and love to welcome
voluntary work. These may last guests into their homes. The
from a day or two to a few weeks, experience is indeed remarkable
hospitals, schools or building for individuals or couples. The
projects are the norm. The secret is to relax and be
experience is life changing – for prepared for a few surprises and
everyone. Remember, however poor don’t be afraid to laugh with
you may think you are, by third your hosts. You will return home
world standards you not. Do not a better person for your
resent your guests if they seem experience. Be warned, that once
preoccupied with what you you begin to enjoy Tanzania you
consider to be your money. Accept will return again and again.
it, deal with it, and don’t make
About the Author:
For more information on these issues or any relating to Tanzania see http://www.tanzania-info.co.uk and http://www.betheladventure.co.uk tourism can change lives.
Source: www.isnare.com |
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