We wondered how Katesh may have changed since the newly-constructed
road was finished, but what we found was...Katesh is still Katesh! It all
remains very familiar, with objects that amuse and confound.
Bayo tells us that this type of "vehicle" is rather common.
Made in China, he says. But I've never seen such a thing except out here in the
agricultural Manyara valley. Hmmm. I wonder why they want it to be so long.
Bayo wasn't able to answer that one.
It is common to see men sitting idly around
town. It's culturally normal and acceptable for them to sit and talk with other
men while the women hold jobs, manage the house, meals, crops, animals, as well as care for the
kids. Churches are trying to encourage men to become strong, get jobs,
and work hard. The other night I even heard a political leader on the evening news, urging Tanzanians to work hard and stop being lazy. (I'm certain he wasn't referring to the mamas who work steadily from early
morning to late night without much appreciation!)
Then, of course, are the oddities that just make you smile and shake
your head. A dead tree "re-purposed" into a sturdy stand for a
satellite dish.
