My second week in Arusha
My second week in Arusha, polepole, a common local expression meaning slowly- slowly, I am adjusting to the personal and professional aspects of my assignment in Tanzania. The monsoon season has arrived early this year, and while at home such rains are cause for major commotion and drive many to seek refuge indoors, that is not the case here. In Africa, the rains are celebrated; and rarely do they interfere with scheduled activities.
Arusha strikes me as an exceptional mix of poverty and prosperity, traditional and modern, multiple religious beliefs and practices, locals and expats, urban and rural. While many of these elements would seemingly create sharp contrast, I am inspired by the overall harmony and incredible spirit that prevails. A small town with a large population; the strong sense of community is evidenced daily by the constant flow of activities taking place to support one another. Despite lack of modern luxuries such as constant power and water supply, everything has a way of working itself out. Hamna Matitiso - No worries.
With Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair, I have spent my first week assisting with immediate planning needs for the annual trade show which will occur in early June. Meeting with many of the event stakeholders, I am also compiling a business overview and corresponding budget to present to the board of directors. The next phase of my assignment will focus on longer term business plans and infrastructure. This will better enable Karibu to produce a professional event that increasingly attracts international participation, to directly impact the local economy, which is in large part, fuelled by tourism.
I’m finding a sense of adventure and enjoyment in even the most mundane activities. As I walk to work, or take an evening jog down the dirt roads surrounding the coffee farms near my house, I look forward to the local children who follow me for a distance, giggling gleefully as they shout mazungu, mazungu – white person.