They call me Esopia, Peace and Love !!! Yoseph

Tanga, Latitude. -5.083°, Longitude. 39.067° , Elevation. 39m  is oppressively hot. I’ve never felt so lazy in my life. We basically working on a road project starting from Tanga and taking to Dar Es Selam . I am almost as dark as the Tanzanians . We saw a family of monkeys just waiting for us to become unaware so they could steal something.

Once in a month my boss suggested to stay at a place called Inn by the Sea, which was conveniently down the road from Pizzeria D’amore where we gorged ourselves in pizza, juice, and ice cream and drinks. I then proceeded to feel very ill. That’s what happens when you eat a dessert of ice cream and you are lactose intolerant.

It would seem that Tanzanians would never have to go to a market /stall/shop to do all of their shopping.It is initially overwhelming until you get used to it. Everything that one would need, one can get from a bus ride. At every stop, 50 people approach the bus selling everything imaginable. Eggs, bread, onions, tomatoes, bananas, candies, water, soda, cashews are among the most popular. For your personal needs, a salesperson will board the bus and sell things like soap, toothpaste, shampoo, and anti-fungals. I almost feel like I am missing out on the full Tanzanian experience by not having bought anything from the bus window yet.

I never had dreads; but  to most Tanzanians, I am “Esopia, Rasta Man” or a Haile Selassie. I’ve gotten so used to people calling me Peace and Love out of nowhere that I was surprised yesterday when one of the Tanzanian  said, “Esopia, Peace and Love, ya Man. Haile Selassie.” I cheer up that cool guy when I snapped my head around and exclaimed, “Peace and Love, Haile Selassie! He got it right!” and giggled. “Esopia!” I nodded happily. The boy joined in my laughter and walked away.