(I started this blog in February of last year, in an effort to stay better connected with all of you and my Tanzanian loves, i am going to try to finish it.)
Sometimes I forget that there are traffic laws in Tanzania. It's hard enough that we drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car but, when you see cars passing each other whenever they choose it gets a little hectic. Factor in the donkey and children that are almost always on the road and it's really crazy. And that is on the main roads, you can forget about trying to navigate the back roads which are dirt roads. On back roads, add cows, goats, vendors, chickens and more donkeys to the mix. Thankfully I'm in the van with Baba John who is probably one of the safest and most aware drivers in Moshi. His music choice is also a nice blend of Celine Dion and our various Tanzanian favorites. Kaka Danny on the other hand (in the other van) is alike with most drivers thinking that driving is a race and braking optional. His music choice is his favorite CD played over and over again. Many of the other van riders were tempted to steal and destroy this beloved CD of his. I was fortunate enough to enjoy my few rides with Danny and his taste in music because I was only exposed to it about three times.
Being back in the states and reflecting on this makes me realize that Pennsylvania drivers are much worse than Tanzanian drivers and they don't even have goats to avoid! No one yields in Cranberry, traffic speeds are more observed as a minimal rather than the actual speed you should be at. Texting, phone calls, make-up application and newspaper run rampant on I79. I've come to realize the difference is, it makes sense here. In a culture where everything is fast pace, we are always looking forward to the next big thing, speedy driving and emailing and make-up application all at the same time makes sense. And I mean, who actually drives 35mph on Franklin, right? I know I find myself going significantly above allowed speed.
This fashion if driving however does not make sense in Tanzania where I would not call the living slow but less chaotic. People work hard, they work long hours but they do these things with their community. Women carry long and heavy loads on their heads and yet don't need to fit in time for the weekly massage, People know their neighbors and even if they don't greet one another as if friends anyway.
It's been over a year since I left last year for Moshi and about 10 months that I have been back in the states, I find myself trying very hard not to lose the mindset I left Tanzania with. Life is more than a business meeting, a trip to the gym, a massage. A smiling and a warm greeting go a long way in making a difference in someone's day and their life, You don't need amenities to be happy, love for Jesus and love for his people and creation will suit you just fine, and suit you better if you take the time to realize it.
So friends in the blogosphere, this is my challenge for you (and for myself.) Live in the moment, but live life a little slower. Greet your neighbors as friends and greet strangers as neighbors. Appreciate every thing you have and be thankful as if tomorrow you might lose it all. Love well and love often and let the ones who mean the most to you know that they do. This one is mostly for me but if it affects you too....don't let past hurt, arguments, drama ruin a relationship with a friend or family member. Be smart about what you preserve but try to forgive before you prune.
Nawapenda sana, Mungu ibaraki!
Sometimes I forget that there are traffic laws in Tanzania. It's hard enough that we drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car but, when you see cars passing each other whenever they choose it gets a little hectic. Factor in the donkey and children that are almost always on the road and it's really crazy. And that is on the main roads, you can forget about trying to navigate the back roads which are dirt roads. On back roads, add cows, goats, vendors, chickens and more donkeys to the mix. Thankfully I'm in the van with Baba John who is probably one of the safest and most aware drivers in Moshi. His music choice is also a nice blend of Celine Dion and our various Tanzanian favorites. Kaka Danny on the other hand (in the other van) is alike with most drivers thinking that driving is a race and braking optional. His music choice is his favorite CD played over and over again. Many of the other van riders were tempted to steal and destroy this beloved CD of his. I was fortunate enough to enjoy my few rides with Danny and his taste in music because I was only exposed to it about three times.
Being back in the states and reflecting on this makes me realize that Pennsylvania drivers are much worse than Tanzanian drivers and they don't even have goats to avoid! No one yields in Cranberry, traffic speeds are more observed as a minimal rather than the actual speed you should be at. Texting, phone calls, make-up application and newspaper run rampant on I79. I've come to realize the difference is, it makes sense here. In a culture where everything is fast pace, we are always looking forward to the next big thing, speedy driving and emailing and make-up application all at the same time makes sense. And I mean, who actually drives 35mph on Franklin, right? I know I find myself going significantly above allowed speed.
This fashion if driving however does not make sense in Tanzania where I would not call the living slow but less chaotic. People work hard, they work long hours but they do these things with their community. Women carry long and heavy loads on their heads and yet don't need to fit in time for the weekly massage, People know their neighbors and even if they don't greet one another as if friends anyway.
It's been over a year since I left last year for Moshi and about 10 months that I have been back in the states, I find myself trying very hard not to lose the mindset I left Tanzania with. Life is more than a business meeting, a trip to the gym, a massage. A smiling and a warm greeting go a long way in making a difference in someone's day and their life, You don't need amenities to be happy, love for Jesus and love for his people and creation will suit you just fine, and suit you better if you take the time to realize it.
So friends in the blogosphere, this is my challenge for you (and for myself.) Live in the moment, but live life a little slower. Greet your neighbors as friends and greet strangers as neighbors. Appreciate every thing you have and be thankful as if tomorrow you might lose it all. Love well and love often and let the ones who mean the most to you know that they do. This one is mostly for me but if it affects you too....don't let past hurt, arguments, drama ruin a relationship with a friend or family member. Be smart about what you preserve but try to forgive before you prune.
Nawapenda sana, Mungu ibaraki!
