The Tanzanian Run Around
Amanda and I are sitting in the Business Center of the Serena Inn in Zanzibar. It’s 10pm here. We saw Chelsea and Mom off last night, then decided to travel to Zanzibar this morning when we woke up.
We visited the kids yesterday, and we ran some errands with Mama Lucy today before we boarded our plane. It is so hot in Zanzibar! We arrived safely and found a good hotel in Stone Town for a great price. We travel to the North Coast tomorrow.
We ran into the Tanzanian Run Around with the land. We’re learning the various forms of the Tanzanian Run Around.
For those interested in a bit of Tanzanian culture, here are the forms of the Tanzanian Run Around we have encountered to date:
Form #1: I won’t help you because I’ll get in trouble. The typical comment is “I cannot do this without approval from my superior.”
Form #2: I’ll tell you I’ll help you then disappear. The typical leave-me-alone comment is “come back at this time.” You note that there is no clock on the wall and the person telling you this is not wearing a watch. Not surprisingly, that person is anywhere but where he said he’d be at your meeting time.
Form #3: You’re asking me something that is very difficult. “Ah, but this would be very difficult to do.”
Form #4: The person you need to speak with is not here. They tell you this with confidence without checking first. So far, the person is actually there about half the time we’ve heard this comment.
Form #5: The person you need to speak with is “coming now.” We think “now” in Africa means “sometime before midnight.” Last night, we waited at a ticket counter for someone who was coming “just now” for 30 minutes, then we learned the person wouldn’t arrive for at least another hour.
There is an abundance of “no worries in Tanzania” bumper stickers here, as the locals think the impatience of Westerners is pretty humorous.
December 5th, 2006 at 12:21 am
Ok ladies all that comes to mind here are two things, #1. Remember what your pastor said the night he prayed for you guys? he said he felt like you were there to set the foundation, and that it may be the only thing you see come forth , ” AT THIS TIME.”#2. Keep your eyes upon Jesus ,look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangley dim, in the light of His glory and grace! I love you girls, and am excited to see what our God is going to do next! yippie!Mama Michele xxoo
December 5th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
MANKA!!!!! AMANDA!!!! WISH I WAS THERE WITH YOU LADIES!!!! leave your watches in your bags, never look at any clocks, and carry a journal or a good book with you
then you will fit right in!