Africa after two weeks

Africa in general - Tanzania

What I would give for a reliable internet connection anywhere in Africa. I bet the GDP per capita in every single one of these countries has a high correlation to the availability of internet. Every place we have stayed thus far has advertised some level of connectivity. However every single one has been a major disappointment. Internet down today or internet doesn't work is the standard. Even the cell networks work inconsistently. Power in anything but the major cities is intermittent. We had no power in Zanzibar, power in Dar, and intermittent power in Arusha. If I had a decent connection I would get more photos up.

So anyways other cultural observations, most people are dirt poor. We are squarely in the $1-2 per day income demographic. This is right where the world bank defines poverty. Most of the tourist industry help we have met are paid monthly and make about $70-120 usd per month. I assume they are fed while at work but that may be stretch in some situations. We have encountered lots of younger Masai guys who have left home and are working in or around the resorts generally in the security capacity. These guys are out earning money so they can buy cows when they get home and hence have a dowry for getting married. I think the current dowry is about 20 cows, at $150-200 per cow.

Regardless of poverty, everyone is very nice and usually goes above and beyond what you would ever see in the US to help you out. Tanzanians are excessively nice and hospitable and smiles are infectious. We have had no incidents with crime yet (knock on wood) but the economic disparity between most Mzungos and locals is very evident. I usually don't take my cellphone out, because a BBerry is a very valuable item out here. You can buy a cheap Chinese cellphone with SIM card and some time for under $20usd. Very few places accept credit cards so almost all transactions are in cash. The smallest bill we get out of the ATM is 10,000 TSH ($7USD)and this is usually too big for most people to break if you are taking a cab or buying food on the street.

Tanzanians are not very good drivers, many don't have licenses. There is little traffic enforcement and regulation and though everybody though seems to manage there are horrendous accidents frequently. Every local paper I have read always has a new story about a terrible bus collision. As one guy from Dar told us, most people have the attitude - "License, what are you talking about? I have a CAR man". If you have enough money to have a car, why bother with the license. Gas is 1500TSH/L - 1.10-1.20 USD/L - $4.50/gallon. So transport is expensive.

Throughout the country there are police checkpoints everywhere, we have been shaken down more than once. We personally never have to pay, usually the driver does. Anywhere from 50cents to as a high as a couple of dollars and though driver is miffed he generally accepts this as the way it is. From my few conversations with foreign investors, there is no rule of law here and you can bribe your way out of almost all situations. Highest bribe wins most disputes. I always ask guys how they get over the risk of this and their answer is low taxes, low costs and anything is possible if you pay enough and know the right people.

Food is good, we definitely have eaten in some sketchy places. I have had great luck with roast chicken. We are just now starting to get sick, this may be travel fatigue..more later after we finish safari.