I visited Dar Es Salaam from the 27th of Feb to 2nd of March for some official duties and noted several things:
-The late Mwalimu Nyerere is a very celebrated icon by everyone, including scholars. They purport that it is through his teachings that Tanzania is the way it is currently through the principle of Undugu that he emphasized on.
That is why in Tz you can have your fare or hotel food bills sorted out by a complete stranger without any strings attached just because he is practicing Undugu.
-Tanzanians live very simple lives as opposed to our complicated lives in Nairobi where u overwork yourself to make money hence compromising your social life and later dying of lifestyle diseases. Tanzanians are just satisfied provided that they have the basics; food, shelter, some education and health. I think we should borrow a leaf from them. For instance here in Kenya, personally, i wouldn't want to marry till i own a good running business, a house or at least a plot and a car. But there, as long as you can provide the basics, you are good to go.
-Tanzanians are very hospitable n polite people. We usually make fun of them here because of their politeness but experiencing it first hand was the most amazing thing i liked about Tanzania. Of the very many Tanzanians i interacted with, everyone was very gentle and polite. When you are on the streets and someone wants to pass, u will hear this, ''Samahani kaka, naomba nipite'' unlike Nairobi where u are passed on the streets and shoved aside then you are insulted!!
The waiters in hotels and bars, very polite n soft, though a bit slow. They just dont come and stand like trees beside you as it is in Nairobi, but talk to you so gently. Of all the places i visited, i was so touched by their hospitality n politeness and was just obliged to offer tips of at least Kshs.200/= (at the moment thats what i can afford)
In the hotels, the 'eaters' are also so polite. after a meal in Nairobi, you will shout to the waiter to bring you the bill but in Tz you will hear something like,''Samahani waiter, hebu njoo. Tafadhali naomba uniletee bill yangu. Shukran''
-The other thing, traffic police in TZ are just as terrible as these ones of ours. Bribes is a language that all African traffic policemen understand better. Minor traffic offenses are bailed out by tipping them with Tzshs. 2,000./= By the virtue that they are dressed in white, you might think that they are pure but no, ni wahuni tu kama their Kenyan counterparts.
-Traffic jam is terrible in Dar just like in Nairobi. With no age limit on imported cars, there are many cars in Dar, but at least they are good on the road. no overlappers and noise honkers!!!
- Real estate is currently in its booming phase with land not being so expensive like Kenya. Land is still affordable, like a very good place comparable to Kiambu Road, you can get 1/4 of an acre for 5 million only!!!! Dint see a lot of gated communities like here in Nairobi coz of the Undugu factor. There are no specific estates like in Nairobi, and in most places houses are mixed in nature, i.e, you can find a very nice mansion in the middle of an averagely built area.
-And finally, Tanzanian chics very nice, pretty and beautiful, but not more than some chics that i usually see in Nairobi, especially on Fridays around Nakumatt Lifestyle and near that Tom Mboya statute!! very fly. But the good thing, though, is that if you dont take care, an ugly Tanzanian chic could easily still find her way into your heart because of how polite n soft they treat you. If you continue having a chat with her for more than 30 minutes, you will end up loving or rather, liking her. For instance, there is one i met on the road and explained to her that i wanted her to help me with her phone to make a call to Kenya coz Suffericom wasnt roaming. After the call, we talked for sometime and she almost convinced me to take her to my hotel room, i turned down the offer coz i was with my bosses!! By i think they are the best, of course after Ethiopians!!
I enjoyed the short stay there having been booked in a 4 star hotel where sensors are configured. When you stand in front of the door, the doors open and only close after u have entered the room. likewise to the toilet doors, you stand there and they open up, likewise to the taps, place your hands and water starts flowing without you touching anything.
Enjoy every moment of your life, you never know when your time will come.