I am on my second day in Tanzania, I have been studying Kiswahili language, the main language spoken in this country, necessary for me for working in this Country as volunteer medical doctor.
I am supposed to study 20 hours according to the schedule for beginner course. Because of the limited time, I could not join to group section which is normally open per period but I have a chance to study in special class.
Therefore, every day but Sunday, I have been studying 3 hours per day. Moreover I decided to extend one extra hour a day, for a total four hours every day, given the short duration of my course…
Studying language for four hours in a special class, it is not what you could call it a good method but I have to do when it is happening.
It is quite tiring after studying 2 hours because absorbing quality of my brain is becoming poor. Especially, 2 hours lesson after lunch time is a tough job.
According to Tanzanian culture, greeting is very important and the people are proud of greeting before doing anything. So, it has been such a difficult issue for me even to buy drinking water in the early days here.
On the other hand, it really takes me time, the lady doctor who come from Burma (Myanmar), South East Asia, to be ready and not to be shocked when a stranger appear suddenly willing to greet, even though I know the proverb that says “when in Rome do as Romans do!”. I really regret and feel sorry for my late replies to their sincere and friendly greetings!!!
Another issue is for the food: I am the one who loves Asian food like papaya salad, other spicy food and Myanmar traditional food called “Mont Hin Khar” . Not only in Myanmar, but also in Thailand I was used to that food for one year. It is hard now to get familiar with African food, especially stiff porridge called “Ugali”. Sweet tea every early morning is a similar custom like in my home town, but those who don’t have that habit still need to be trained.
It shouldn’t be left about the bus called “Daladala” when talking about Dar Es Salaam. There are too much crowed in the bus in office hours in my country, but ladies, are first priority usually according to our custom.
We, ladies, old people and children, have been comfortable in the bus while travelling also. Because of cost effectiveness, we have been trying to take the bus from the bus station called "Mwenge" which is not so far from the place we are staying. After waiting for a while, a median size bus that is going to downtown was coming, and there was also crowded in office hour like our country exception with no priority to ladies here. And then, I was really surprised when something was happening unexpectedly, but I was trying to cope with the habits of that city. Somehow, I still like that city.
Sincerely, I was afraid of dogs since I was in childhood and never imagine staying for one month at the house with six dogs. But finally, these days makes me a part of duty to buy some biscuits for them, to make them friendly. Incredibly they even became some days I would never forget about.
After 2 week studying time, I have a chance to practice around the campus such as in shopping center, restaurant and music center around Nyum Ba Ya Sanam which is the place where I used to studying. However, studying one language within 3 weeks made me crazy sometimes, and I did had bad mood on the way back to the place I stayed and even thought I should give up.
But in reality I did not!!!!
Finally, Days passed by very quickly, and I came to the night before I am going to leave for IRINGA . I wish I could come back to that beautiful city to meet with native friends from Dar Es Salaam and wish to chat by Kiswahili.

Pdf file with Burmese/Myanmar Version ... download here

Pdf file with Germen Version... Download here

Regards,
PIUMA’s Medical Doctor 2009