once in a while, no picture, just some little stories that I've been through myself or read in the papers. In a country you live in or even the neighboring countries, it's wise to read the local newspapers even if they are crap. The unusual aspect of the host country might be impressive...
- one Kenyan pastor was giving a harsh sermon to his town's sinners, promising them hell and fire. At one point he wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. It turned out he mistook his handkerchief and a woman's underwear, and not his wife's! One attendant told him but it was too late, most of the audience AND his wife had seen the proof of his latest sin! The pastor was then seen escaping with his wife howling after him.... I love this one.
- similar story with a teacher in Tanzania, in front of his students. But at least here, the underwear belonged to his wife. Still the students must see him in a different light after that. When I was a child, I didn't really consider my teachers as real humans. I don't remember clearly but maybe I thought they were living in coffins or something...
- about 30 % of the population in Tanzania is Muslim, so many women are veiled, from not too bad to really bad. I'm not politically correct and I'd have respect for these sexist traditions, not even required by the Koran apparently, when men will be equally veiled. I'd allow a hole to let the beard go through so one can recognise who's who. Anyway, one day, I'm flying out of Zanzibar, only one passenger on my manifest. It appears to be a woman, veiled 99%. Only the eyes were showing. I guess some male relatives must have dropped her at the gate. I nearly wish they had seen she was to travel alone with another man, a pilot on top. Once on board, she removed all her shit, and pronto, I see a hot chick instead, tight jean's, belly button showing, light top and it became difficult to look at her in the eyes. She smiled broadly and started to add some make-up. So much for the gestapo family.
- relic business or fervor is important here too. I'm not sure if some saints have been buried here but Livingstone is not buried in one place in one piece. Most of him is buried in Zanzibar but his heart is buried in Malawi I heard. Of course there are also signs like "Stanley crossed this door". That's worse than "Elvis slept here" or "Napoleon slept here". Maybe am having too much fun on the US, let's be fair here.
- ever heard of the concept 'flying toilets'? Nothing to do with airplanes but plastic bags being used as toilets before being thrown away in the river. Some slum dwellers have no access to toilets. So much for the hygiene! A wonder cholera is not spreading more often. Anyway the old ban on plastic bags is to be enforced they say. Let's see what's going to happen. Maybe the city council should then think of building some public toilets in the slums...true that the river banks here are disgusting.
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