It has been one week since I landed at Kilimanjaro International Airport, and although I’m mostly settled in to my apartment, there are still many errands to be run.
Yesterday, I went searching for a modest television so I can keep track of world events (and watch some mindless entertainment). After spending a few hours walking around, I became quite hungry and stopped at a local Indian restaurant for some grilled kingfish. As is not uncommon, a stray mbwa (dog) wandered into the outdoor eating area. The poor thing looked njaa sana (very hungry), but the proprietor shooed it out. Being a fierce animal lover, I saved a few scraps to feed the poor critter. I discreetly put the scraps in a napkin and walked outside the restaurant to give the mbwa a little nourishment.
My Tanzanian friend who accompanied me watched (apparently with horror) as I approached the mbwa, opened the napkin, and held out my hand so it could eat. My friend immediately went apoplectic and screamed at me to “drop it DROP IT — get away!!! Hatari (danger)” His insistence startled me, so I dropped the fish and backed away. Notably, the dog was quite gentle and well-behaved.
When I returned to the table, my friend wagged his finger at me and said, “that was very dangerous, and you must not do it again. Tanzanian dogs are not like American dogs. That dog could’ve have attacked you and bitten you. And it is not vaccinated for rabies because it is a stray.” Oops. Okay, so live and learn. He had a good point.
This is just another teminder that I can’t take Anerican ways for granted and that I must be a little more diligent. When in Rome, don’t feed the dogs out of your hand! It will be hard, though, because these critters pull hard on my heartstrings.
