Arusha: Crossroads for the ultimate trifecta of cool

I've been in Arusha, Tanzania for only a matter of days and I'm already liking the vibe this city gives off. To most people I've spoken to, Arusha is just another city. Thanks to Ronnie, my Volunteer Abroad connection, I am able to get to know this city through people who live here. My first night out was an eye-opener to this city's friendly diversity. In honour of Bob Marley Day, we headed to Via Via for a night of rasta fun (although the crowd here made me wonder if they lived every day for Bob.) The Warriors were jamman' on drums, guitars and kitchen sets for an audience of rastas, maasais and mzungus - it was the ultimate trifecta of cool. Rastas jammed, Maasais danced, and although we mzungus weren't too sure what we were doing, by the time the rasta congo line came around we had had enough konyagi to make us feel like we did. In honour of peace, love and Bob, everyone mingled together, sharing drinks and conversation regardless of dress, culture or body odour. It was a beautiful sight - so beautiful that I had a momentary memory lapse and asked myself why I shouldn't just spend the whole summer in Tanzania... but I was instantly reminded when I tried to order food, and the kitchen was out of everything I asked for. After attempting half the menu I asked "What do you have?" "Other things," said my waitress. Oh right. That's why I have to leave.

So I'll just have to enjoy Tanzania while I can - have some good coffee, go on a safari, maybe grow a dread lock or two. It's nice to have a place like the Volunteer Abroad house where I can be comfortable, make new friends and reconnect with old ones - oh, I'm getting nostalgic for my summer in Nepal with Volunteer Abroad. But it's quite the change being with people who are fresh off the boat in Africa, and in that sense I often feel like the odd one out. After spending the last two months with PCVs who've been here almost a year, their hand sanitizer having run out long ago, I quickly became desensitized to the unsanitary realities of Africa in order to fit in. I was once singled out and chastised for being caught with baby wipes and vowed never to draw attention to myself again. But here, I'm surrounded by concerns I forgot I should have. It's always "I can't pee in this dirty toilet" and "I won't swim in that parasite infested lake!" And can you believe that my defense that they can buy bilharzia pills in Uganda for only $5 didn't resonate with anybody!? Is it me?? Have I lost my sense of personal hygiene? Did you know I was once afraid of communal bar soap??? Now I'm just happy if there is soap. I don't know who I am anymore. Africa will do that to you.