Two Karibu

Jambo arafiki! (Hello friends!) I have officially left the beautiful, and friendly country of Turquoise blue water, lush palm trees, and a humid climate ala Miami. And with my unshaven face, I was playing the part of Sonny Crockett as best I could. Yes, granted I had a shaved head and not DJ's golden locks, and of course I smelled a bit, probably a lot, but work with me here. Could as I could be in this unknown country, I grabbed a cab to the city centre, after bartering the price down 10,000 shilling. Paved roads and streetlights? I was not in Kansas Malawi anymore. I arrived at the Jambo Inn, the higher priced hotel that I could book online from Malawi. Since all the numbers in the Lonely Planet book were wrong for Tanzania (yes all of them, as the country added new numbers since publication), I chose the one I could actually book. And why not pamper myself for one night. I walked the four flights of stairs with my two large bags, I came upon my dank, barren room, with one bulb providing light to the all white, well dirty gray, tiling. The room had a nice mattress, a fan, and a non-functioning toilet. So much for having paid a little extra for one night of comfort. With a pang of hunger in my stomach, and the opportunity to have something other than chicken and chips (fries), I head to the canteen downstairs, after having fixed the toilet issue myself. The kind waiter handed me my menu, and left. I opened it and read: karibu, samaki, chapatti, ugali, etc. Since none of those words had any meaning to me, I figured I would just point to one and hope for the best. Since I was hungry, I asked for Two Karibu. Maybe it was meat? A blank stare, and then a chuckle. Did I just order something crazy? I have a long history of that. Sushi ice cream cones. Ting ting in SA. You name it, I have probably ordered it. I repeated my order and pointed this time hoping to clear up any confusion. Another laugh. Hmmm. The waiter then said Karibu, Karibu and asked again for my order, in English. He explained that I had just ordered two "Welcomes!" With a red face, and a laugh myself, I ordered mayai (turned out to be eggs). Delicious.
Since that day, I have begun to learn a few more words than just Jambo. Proudly, I can order coffee, eggs, bread, hot or cold water, and some other meat dishes. Each day I learn a bit more, and hopefully will be able to order a full day of food soon:) And, I guess I will not be having any caribou any time soon.

Kwa herri,
Simba