There were two villages that we visited. Actually we all went to one village, Pangani, but then it was just myself and Liam that went to the one that was just down the beach from our lodge. On our first attempt to visit Pangani, our jeep broke down less than a mile from our lodge. I'm thankful that it was there and not somewhere in the middle - not only was it about 90 degrees out, but I really have no interest in being stranded in the middle of no where in a third world country. The kids were especially excited to ride back in the back of the jeep that came to "rescue" us from the break down.
Harvesting coconuts - the rind is often used for cooking and the milk is used for both the juice and cooking oils that are sold all over the world
Hitching a ride back to the lodge, old school style
We tried again the next day and success!! Pangani was not that far away from where we were staying, about 14km or so, but driving on the dirt roads, it still took about 40 minutes to get there. Because of the issues with the jeep, the managers had hired a local taxi driver to take us to the ferry that would enable us to cross the river into Pangani. As expected, the small village where the taxi was dropping us off was extremely downtrodden. The driver went to park the car as he was going to cross the river with us to meet our guide.
Sisal and a Christmas tree
Sisal plantation
Sisal plantation
And let's be honest, we were literally the only white people there. We were now alone. And it was uncomfortable. It felt like everyone was staring at us. I'm used to being around a mix of people of all different races and to be the only ones, it just felt incredibly strange. I didn't necessarily feel unsafe but had concerns, not because of race, but because we stood out as being much more affluent than these people - and we're in a third world country... and could someone actually attempt to kidnap us? It sounds ridiculous in hindsight but at that moment, I just know how uncomfortable I was. But since the managers insisted that the taxi driver cross the river with us (which was not very wide - it literally took 2 minutes to cross), to me that meant we had reason to be concerned.
Pangani from the other side of the river
This gate is the only thing keeping us from the ferry - as you can see, we can easily walk around it
Fishing boats across the river
At this point, Aidan started to cry. He kept saying he couldn't do "this". "This" being a tour of such a poverty stricken area that he was not just scared, but very uncomfortable. It was heartbreaking to see how upset he was. I can't say I blame him as I felt the same but as a parent, this is the moment of truth - do you let them go back because they aren't comfortable or do you insist they move forward because it's a teaching moment and you feel that this is an important life lesson? Yup, we went with the latter. I think he hated us for a few moments, but my hope is that someday he'll get it and understand why we pushed.
No livestock today! Just people, cars and bicycles...
The ferry... the back of it basically scrapes along the dock and people just walk off as the ferry is still moving... no hazards there!
The village we just came from before crossing the river
Closer up
We met our tour guide in front of the post office. It was interesting that an area that is so obviously poverty stricken had so much signage in English. It's not the official language of Tanzania - it's a secondary language. So to see it in an area where there is so much poverty gives hope towards improvements in the importance of education. Don't take this to mean I think that "everyone must speak English". I don't believe in that. But the fact that they are trying to learn a universal language said something to me.
By village standards, Pangani is considered to be big with about 5000 residents in the Pangani proper area. Some even have cars which is more than we have seen so far in our few days in Tanzania. But where there is "prosperity", there is also poverty with many homes not having indoor plumbing or electricity.
Where to go for fresh milk
Vodafone is truly all over the world!
Our ferry going back across the river
Fishing boats
There is actually a German battleship that is sunk out by that stick looking object - there is no diving allowed near this battleship as they are unsure if there are any active bombs still onboard.
German currency from when they ruled this region
Local restaurant
Local mosque - there are many Muslims in this region, likely as a result of Arabic rule from many years ago.
Walking along the water before heading into town
Local fishing boat
The port authority
The tour was only just over an hour but with the oppressive heat, it felt like much longer. But our guide was incredibly informative and imparted so much knowledge about Pangani's history to us. They had been conquered by Arabs, the German and finally the British before gaining freedom in the early 1960s. During the Arab times, this area was known for being a slave trading hub. We even saw the area where the slave markets were held.
Field where much of the slave trade took place
Home where the head Arabic guy lived, overlooking the slave trading area
Other side of the field
I couldn't decide if things were getting better or worse here as we walked. There were small bits of technological improvements that we could see - internet cafes, the vodafone "shop" and things like that. Our guide told us that much of the technology they get is second hand as they are able to buy those things much cheaper and much of it comes from China.
Our tour guide and the spot where they celebrated becoming independent of the British (after the Arabic and German rule)
Internet cafe
Small store
So we would see these small steps towards improving their conditions and I'm not sure that technology necessarily would be considered an improvement - I personally would say indoor plumbing and electricity should come first. But regardless, you see these small improvements but then you see the living conditions with homes that in most places would be condemned and you have to wonder how it is that people can live like this. In addition, there is a blatant disregard for taking care of mother nature - trash everywhere which I can only imagine adds to contamination issues. I asked about this and the guide said that the government is trying to teach the locals about taking care of the environment but that not all are on board or understand the consequences to this kind of behavior. It's a shame to see because it's only going to make things worse for them before it ever gets better.
One of many homes that looked like they should be condemned but obviously were not
A paved road - we haven't seen one of those in a long time and it says to us that this is a significant village for trading, etc if they have any paved roads
This tree is used for many medicinal purposes
New home - obviously someone with some money - and it has electricity too
We saw how the locals lived. Beyond seeing their homes (though we did not see the inside of any), we were able to see things like the outdoor kitchens that are shared between neighbors and their markets.
Most homes do not have kitchens and given the year round heat, it is possible to do any cooking outside. There are kitchens like this that are used by many people on that street with very few having their own personal kitchen.
A little color in an otherwise very drab place
I assume that this is for water run off. This one isn't bad, but many that we saw were filled with trash.
We also went to the market area. Stalls upon stalls of Chinese goods to buy. It reminded me of the euro store or dollar stores but much more compact. Some stalls had various foods as well - fruits and vegetables.
Liam at the market
See that white van? That's the bus station.... yup, it is.
And those motorcycles? They are taxis called boda-boda.
Well look at that - Tom Brady made it all the way to Tanzania? As I mentioned before, a lot of used or donated goods are sold at the markets here.
The indoor market. I wasn't sure what to make of it. I have to wonder what the extreme heat does to the produce and the meats but then the roof at least shields from some of the heat.
By the time we were nearing an end, we were about toasty done. The information was fascinating but the sun, being so close to the equator, was even more oppressive at this point in the day and we were all dragging. Liam's face was a shade of red that could not be defined as healthy and even with sunblock and a hat during the trip, he still ended up with sun blisters. So we finished up our walk as we headed towards the government offices.
Half past done...
Mom look how sweaty I am!
Government building
Our guide told us that these sloping railings were actually made to be laid upon for during breaks. Liam took full advantage!
One of the workers at the lodge actually lived in the village and offered to take me to visit and walk through with me. Aidan opted out of this tour and since I made him do the big one, I acquiesced and Josh stayed behind with him. Since the village is just down the beach, I would often see the locals in the morning when I was up taking pictures of the sunrise. Being a fishing community, you would see people out fishing very early or heading to jobs that sometimes would be outside of the village like at the lodges nearby.
Village down the beach from where we were staying
Fishing boats
Fishermen
As the sand is fairly compact near the water and many people would ride their bicycles with supplies or goods to trade
Fire for cooking
Many of the local boats, the fisherman would stand and paddle. I can't imagine the balance and strong core that it takes to be able to do this.
Back to the tour... As my tour guide explained to me, fishing is the way that many of the people in this village make money. The other way is business. While you wouldn't expect it, there were a few little stores set up in huts selling general store type of goods and another that had cell phones believe it or not.
Fishermen heading out
Local boats
Cool tree with painted signatures from visitors and locals
The village stretches along the beach, not a bad back yard...
I had been told there was a painter in the village named "Leonardo da Vinci". Yes, you've probably heard of him ;) Anyways, he sells a variety of goods along the beach and so that was our first stop before officially entering the village. This was perfect since I wanted to pick up a few things to bring back with us. I suspected a few things might not have been made right there (like the scarves) and I feel he way overcharged me (also asking if I was paying in USD or shillings) but my thought process was that if I could help out even just a little bit by overpaying than so be it. What's an extra $10 out of my pocket if that can help feed his family or give them some little luxury that they might otherwise not have? That doesn't mean I didn't feel a little bit manipulated because I did, just like with the women before.
"Leonardo's" shop
Liam and I outside the shop
Compared to Pangani, the village felt more organized and by far much cleaner. These homes were situated within feet of the beach. There wasn't trash on every corner. While properties were very small, they looked clean and decently maintained, making the most of the natural resources they have at hand. While they don't have much, there was a definite pride in what little they did have. As my guide wasn't an official tour guide, he didn't have much to say as far as the history of the village or anything like that but he was able to give me some insight into the local life and how the people here make their livings, where the children go to school, etc etc and it gave me a very different perspective on village life. This is a very difficult life, but it is also a much simpler life than what we are used to.
The homes built with palm fronds are temporary homes, usually for visiting fishermen who will go back to their families after a few months of making money here.
Building a home
Lots of chickens around
A temporary home
Community cooking area
As you can see, some homes are cinderblock as well
But many are made from mud, limestone and water
Literally the port area
A fishing boat being made
There was even a library filled with books from different countries. My guide explained that the man who runs this library does it on his own free will as there is an actual library not far from there - but in this library, he also teaches the village children. There is a school about 30 minutes by foot but he feels that the children need more - and so when he sees them out playing, he will often call them over to encourage them to read and learn and the children are very receptive to him. This man is trying to make a difference in the lives of these kids and it was so heartwarming to see. He is trying to teach them some English, yet he did not seem to speak much himself. There seems to be a desire to improve upon their lifestyle and give these kids opportunity, though not all the villagers necessarily follow this notion. But it was nice to see someone was trying to give them a chance to do better in life.
The library - the room was maybe 6' x 6' inside
Some other tourists chatting with the local kids
Speaking of kids, they all seemed genuinely happy. They were unspoiled. They listened well. They worked when told to work. I think all our kids could use a little bit of this hard knock life these days. Liam didn't seem to know what to make of things and kind of hung out in the background.
Like any city, town or village in the world, there were obvious differences between who had money here and who did not. Some had electricity, often the business owners, and many did not. Some homes had what appeared to be concrete foundations, many did not. And so on and so on...
This is where you go for fresh water - the well.... drop your bucket down and that's how you get your water. Think of how many times per day you drink water or use water - how often would you need to go here?
Area for animals
Liam in his world
This little boy was so sweet and tried to give Liam a coin of 200 shillings - I made Liam give it back since while incredibly generous, I know this boy has very little and I couldn't bear to take it from him. It turns out he is also deaf and mute but seemed to be a very happy, outgoing child.
This little area is owned by one of the more prosperous families and they rent out the little bungalows to vacationers.
The experience of visiting both of these villages has been eye opening for all of us, especially Josh and myself. You read about the poverty in Africa and you see it on tv, but there is nothing like seeing it first hand. These people seemed kind and friendly and were always giving us a little wave of hello or saying hello when we came across them during walks on the beach. They did not seem saddened or disheartened by their lives - at least as far as things appeared. And as I mentioned before, these two particular villages are considered to be in poverty but not acute poverty which means as far as the government is concerned, they aren't doing so badly and people aren't dying left and right. I don't feel like I have enough knowledge to judge the government or the villages to know who is doing what and for whom or enough insight to know if this lifestyle is truly a choice or their lot in life - a few hours spent is not experience enough to truly establish that kind of opinion but I can say that based on what I saw, I am beyond thankful for all that we have and the opportunities that both Josh and myself as well as our children will have based on the country in which we were born and raised. So tonight when you ring in the New Year, give some thought as to how lucky we all are to have the wonderful things that we have including a roof over our heads, electricity, indoor plumbing and more... not everyone in this world is so blessed.
Liam talking into his shell that was given as a gift for our donation of crayons, markers and other items for the kids. Back to reality now...
Besos,
Julie
