GG Goes To Town

The first day of working at FAME, I realized that many of the Tanzanians were having trouble pronouncing Gail. So, I said “oh just call me GG like my grandson does,,,, its easier …. so now it’s “Mama GG”. or Bebe ( grandmother) GG (I am one of the older ones on the FAME campus) and Jambo ( hello) GG.

The Tanzanian staff here have been so very warm and welcoming, many come up to hug me and say ” how are you GG ? “. Also, they love to joke and tease and laugh.

Everyone is very interested in knowing about where I live, what it is like ( so I showed them a picture of snow). Many have interest in our politics and so I have told them about our upcoming election and told them Trump is “LOCO” which they laugh at but then when I say no, he is really corrupt and a bad man,, they are interested to hear more… because many African countries understand corrupt leaders, then they tell me about their president and government system and how things are going ( most think pretty well right now).

So after work yesterday ( more about that and todays work soon), I decided to go to town because I needed some supplies, and, truth be told, my dinner, as gracious and lovely as the cooks are to provide it,did not really interest me.

So, I decided to take a trip to downtown Karatu… about 3 -4 miles away. The best way to go is by Bajaji ( aka tuk tuk) . I had been advised by Saidi that as long as I was back before dark it would be safe. He also advised me of typical fare. Mistake # 1(ish) always ask what the fare is before getting in… naive me expected that it was just standard. Somehow, I forgot some things I learned in Liberia many years ago.. you always have to bargain.

So, I found a Bajaji with the rascal Tongo as the driver.

I took a very bumpby and very dusty – red dust everywhere! – ride to Karatu. Let’s just say, my knuckles were rather white along the way! When we arrived I asked him the fare which he said was 5 times what I was told it should be ,,,, when I tried to bargain he just showed his brown puppy eyes and I settled for 3 times… lesson learned.

Stopped at the “Supermarket” Deus and got somes supplies… not what I was expecting for a ” supermarket” but there you go.

Just in case you think it goes in quite a way more …. its about the size of a large walk-in closet. Fortunately, it had all I was looking for, including Cadbury chocolate bars!

Then, Tongo took me off to the lovely Lilac Cafe . They have a small one on FAME campus, but this was larger. They even, have a fairly decently stocked bar there, including vodka, gin, cognac and cordials.I was happy with my grilled cheese supreme sandwich for now. I also saw one of the docs from the clinic and confirmed what fares should be for the Bajajis.

Back to Fame, carried by the rascal Tongo, who managed to bamboozle me out of a fair only double what it should be this time!