Clash of cultures on Mt. Kilimanjaro

Once, a long time ago while studying in Milan, I was in car with some Italian friends and one of them broke wind, very publicly and quiet loudly. It should not be a subject that demands attention, but it offers a study on the stark contrast in cultural norms.

It happened again during my recent climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. I have for my past six climbs climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho route where only tented accommodation is available on the trek. This time I used the Marangu route, which is unique for its scenic landscape and stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The Marangu route offers accommodation only in shared log cabins. I have never shared tents on my Lemosho climbs and for a good reason; the privacy of one’s tent provides flexibility to the climber, from changing dirty clothing to staying away from the noise of a snoring neighbour. As one climber mentioned recently: “If a snorer sleeps before you you’ll have great difficulty falling asleep.” Sleep is most essential in recovering from the daily hikes from one camp to another.

Mawenzi peak as seen on the Marangu route.

So, I found myself sharing a cabin with four other European climbers who had absolutely no self-restraint in how much foul air they allowed into the atmosphere. I am not sure about how much they contributed to Global Warming, but I admit I was uncomfortable. For Tanzanians it is taboo for grown-ups to break wind in the presence of others. If an adult does so accidentally and a child happens to be nearby the child will be blamed for the act and scolded for such unbecoming behaviour.

I understand from my experience in Italy that, from the perspective of some cultures, it is acceptable behavior. But I suspect there are certain circumstances that may limit this behaviour. I cannot imagine that at a summit of G-7 leaders discussing the limiting of carbon emissions that you’ll have the same VIP delegates, heads of state and government of the world’s seven leading economies, liberally firing off some of the same gases that they are trying to limit.

The Tanzanian Tourist Board issues tips to foreign visitors on acceptable practices that conform with Tanzanian cultural norms. I wonder whether it is time now to caution visitors against restraining themselves - at least while in the cramped logged cabins on the Marangu route.

My version of the year 2011 in review: 25 October

At Mwitongo, Butiama, the monkeys continued to monkey around.

Posts related to this one:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2008/12/velvet-monkeys.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-4-may.html

Other posts in this 2011 review series:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-23_21.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-26_23.html

My version of the year 2011 in review: 23 October

I captured this image of old rock art, located at Mwitongo, Butiama on a granite rock face.

The lower left side shows two distinct animal figures, perhaps antelopes or giraffes. A circular image in the mid lower section could be a representation of the sun or moon.

A lecturer from the Archeology Unit of the University of Dar es Salaam who has seen these images has pointed out that they could be as old as 20,000 years.

Other posts in this 2011 review series:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-22_20.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-25_22.html

My version of the year 2011 in review: 22 October

Tour operators from Arusha and one from Rwanda, accompanied by two travel writers, arrived at Butiama in the afternoon during their familiarization tour of the Lake Zone as part of a tour organized by tourism stakeholders in Mwanza and Mara region to promote their regions' tourist attractions.

At the Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere Museum, Bwire, one of the museum's guide, provided a brief introduction before they began their tour of the museum, Mwalimu Nyerere's mausoleum, and watching a performance of the Egumba Dance group.

Other posts in this 2011 review series:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-16.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-23_21.html

View from the top of Mt. Mtuzu, Butiama, Tanzania.

A scenic view near Butiama, at the end of an hour-long trek which I have used frequently when preparing myself for the next Mt. Kilimanjaro climb.

Post related to this one:
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My version of the year 2011 in review: 28 June

After the Musoma "Mara Region Tourism Route Designing Meeting" we split into three groups to inspect some of the potential routes for tourists visiting Mara region.

Our group toured the Iramba islands on Lake Victoria, whose residents' principal economic activity is fishing.

To the residents of Iramba boat transportation serves as an important means of travel to other islands and across the Lake to Majita.

Our hour-long boat trip could not have been possible without the expert local knowledge of a local resident who served as our guide and who during most of the trip helped me with taking photographs.

He dangled precariously in front of the boat to take some of the pictures and I was at times worried he would loose his balance and fall into the Lake - with my camera.

I was not worried for his safety because I knew he could swim. My camera could not.

He did not only care for his own safety, but had absolutely no qualms against turning a member of our team, Aysha, into one of the deck chairs as he took the liberty of leaning against her for a photograph.

We concluded that unless he is barred from becoming a local tourist guide, we would not recommend Iramba as one of the tourist itineraries.

The mischief of our guide could not detract from the unique beauty of the surrounding area, with mountain islands that seemed to sprout up from the Lake, and a rich and varied bird colony in some of the islands.

Other posts in this 2011 review series:

http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-27-may.html

http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-4-july.html

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http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-22_20.html

My version of the year 2011 in review: 27 June

I attended a meeting of tourism stakeholders from Mara region convened to chart out a strategy for attracting more tourists to the region. Hassan Ally, standing on the left, of Inter Business Direction Inc (IBDI) was the moderator of the "Mara Region Tourism Route Designing Meeting.

Emmanuel Musimo, on the right, was the rapporteur.

Other posts related to this 2011 review series:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-26.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-28.html

My version of the year 2011 in review: 26 June

At the Naabi Gate in the Serengeti National Park, the richly-coloured Hildebrandt's Starling

(lamprotornis hildebrandti) caught my eye.

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Relevant link at Amazon Books:
The Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi (Princeton Field Guides)

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Other posts in this 2011 review series:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-8.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-27-may.html

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http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-28.html

My version of the year 2011 in review: 4 June

I attended the Karibu Travel & Tourism Fair in Arusha for the second time in so many days.

The Karibu Fair is billed by the organizers as the leading travel trade event in East Africa and is held in early June every year at the edge of the Arusha airport. Which makes it a perfect location for plane spotting.

Ndanda Kosovo, fourth from right (counting the gorilla), struts his stuff with his band, Watoto wa Tembo.

The show also featured entertainment by both traditional Masai dancers (third photo from top), as well as contemporary music by Arusha-based musician Ndanda Kosovo and his band Watoto wa Tembo (The Children of Elephants). His show featured a dancer clad in a gorilla costume.

Other posts in this 2011 review series:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-3.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-5.html

Post related to this one:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2011/06/karibu-fair.html

My version of the year 2011 in review: 3 June

I attended the Karibu Travel & Tourism Fair in Arusha where children, and a good number of adults, take keen

interest in the camel rides. The camel, I noticed, is not the most photogenic animal on Earth.

Other posts in this 2011 review series:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-23.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-version-of-year-2011-in-review-4.html