October 3, 2021- My First Morning In Mérida, Mexico!
I arrived in Mérida, Mexico, yesterday afternoon. The flight went well. My Airbnb situation didn’t go so well, however. I’ll tell you about that later. Anywho, I’m enjoying my first morning here in sunny, Mérida. I’m currently lodging at a hotel in Centro. My stay included breakfast. I thoroughly enjoyed that bowl of fruit and fresh orange juice. Next, I took a stroll around the block while showing my mom around via WhatsApp. I also chatted with a fellow solo traveler who’s finishing up her adventures through Egypt. After my stroll, I sat and chilled in the park, Parque de Santa Lucía. It’s hot out, but there was a light breeze that made sitting under the shade of the trees feel awesome. Now, I’m in my room updating this post before heading out to get lunch. Yeah, there’s not too much going on being a Sunday and all. Let’s see…
Covid-free Tanzania? My Four Month Experience
Hey, y’all! I have been gone for a minute, I know. Time really flies. I had quite the experience in Tanzania. I left this past Friday. It was especially interesting to experience it for the first time during a pandemic. The Tanzanian government proclaimed the country to be Covid-free a while back. But is it really? Covid-free Speech The subject of the coronavirus, there, was a taboo. The locals were nervous to talk about it. Most people I met pretended it doesn’t exist. Any time I tried to discuss it, the person I was talking to would dismiss it if he/she thought it was fake, or whisper his/her opinions if he/she thought it was real. There seemed to be a fear of someone overhearing and turning them in. I heard of people being arrested for statements posted on social media or making reports about the country’s situation, so I decided…
Tanzanian Customs and Social Etiquette
Why learn about Tanzanian customs? One of the most appealing aspects of traveling to a foreign country is experiencing the culture. Culture includes customs and etiquette. Tanzania is an extremely beautiful country with a lot to offer in terms of nature, food, and culture. The people are generally warm and welcoming toward visitors but hold fast to their customs and beliefs. When visiting any country, it’s important to respect the local etiquette as best you can. Get familiar with this list of Tanzanian customs to avoid insulting the locals. Engaging with the locals There are 126 languages spoken in Tanzania. Swahili is the national language of Tanzania. It incorporates Bantu and classical Arabic dialects. English is widely spoken and the other languages are of indigenous origins. As an”Mzungu (um-zoon-goo)”, or foreigner, you will benefit from knowing some basic words and phrases in the national language. Knowing just a little goes…
Learn Swahili: How To Greet People In Swahili
Greetings are an essential part of every culture and daily conversations. On your visit to Tanzania or the East African region, you’ll want to be familiar with some common greetings.
Tingatinga Art Cooperative in Dar Es Salaam
Head to Oyster Bay in Dar es Salaam for a vibrant and creative experience! The Tingatinga Art Cooperative is located there, with artists painting away and displaying their stunning works of art. If seeing the artwork isn’t enough, visitors can even learn how to paint themselves or hire an artist for photography sessions – it’s definitely worth checking out! I recently visited the Tingatinga Art Cooperative. I managed to get some video footage and photos before my phone died. See my YouTube video below. For more information about Tingatinga Art, check out their website.
Tanzania During The Pandemic: My Flight Experience
I’m putting it out there: I’ve been lazy. I should have gotten this post out weeks ago. I started right after arrival but kept putting it off for one reason or another. I’ve made my end-of-year resolution to get this out before 2020 closes. As of November 17th, I’ve been chilling in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. You probably know that already if you’ve read my other post. I’ve been asked several times to describe my airport-to-destination experience. Well, here’s a detailed description of what it was like traveling to Tanzania during the pandemic. Am I crazy for Traveling To Tanzania During the Pandemic? “Why would you to Tanzania during the pandemic? Are you crazy?” I’ve gotten this question several times. I can’t say for sure. There’s always the possibility. Crazy people don’t know they’re crazy. Right? What was it like at the airports? My five airport experiences weren’t bad…