This will be my last article about my trip to Tanzania. The second I entered Tanzania, I saw some major differences between the two countries: TANZANIA and CANADA. I will tell you what I think is different between the two, and which I would prefer.

First of all, In Canada, there is a huge temperature range between the four seasons. Winter is freezing, spring is warm, summer is hot, autumn is cool and then it starts all over again. In Tanzania I am pretty sure 75% of the time is very hot, the rest is very rainy. I do not know what I would prefer. There is much more to do in the sun. You can run outside, go to the beach, the park, you can walk to places more often and save gas, have ice cream, and much more. The cold is very hard to live in. When I was in Tanzania, my cousins actually wished they were in Canada (the cold) because of the intense heat there. I almost agreed with them until I pictured the amazingly cold winters and shook my head. I admit cuddling by the fire place with a book in hand and hot chocolate is very relaxing. Also, playing in the snow. Which climate would you have? I would like to have Canada climate because it is a mix of both hot and cold.

The next difference is the environment. In Tanzania, almost everywhere was green. There were tropical trees and most people had a big piece of land, ESPECIALLY in Bukoba. Here in Canada we are developing our land so fast, soon every inch of it will be covered in buildings. For example: the City of Markham in Ontario used to have lots of farms and forests. But the buildings are rapidly increasing. I would definitely prefer Tanzania`s environment to mine. Although Tanzania is also growing a lot to, I don`t think it is growing as rapidly. I also must state that the roads are so much better here in Canada. The main roads in Tanzania are not as flat as here and sometimes they have a lot of bumps in it. For example in the town of Bukoba, the roads were red dirt. They also had a lot of hills. Not little hills, huge hills. It was all worth it because you can see an amazing view. In Dar, the s roads are super bumpy. I mean it! It felt strange driving on the smooth roads in Canada. Once, I was squeezed in with twelve people fitted in a five- person car. At one time, I even had to sit in a trunk!!!!! But it was fun.

One more major difference is the food. Canada is a very multicultural so we have Chinese, American, Thai, Italian, Greek, even Tanzanian food. In Tanzania they don`t have as much as a variety. In Canada, sometimes we are becoming lazy and order fast-food like hamburgers, pizza and more. It is okay to have that once in a while, but it is becoming unhealthy and obsessive. A lot of people in Canada cook too. They usually cook what’s in their culture (Italian food, Chinese etc.). In Tanzania I knew pretty much everything I was eating because I was already introduced to it at home in Canada. In Tanzania, a regular household cooks things like wali (rice), chicken, pilau, ndizi (bananas), ugali, and more Tanzanian foods. This is what I observed in Tanzania. I do not know what I would rather prefer because the food In Tanzania is so good and you can`t get as good Tanzania food here in Canada. But here you can have whatever you feel like because of the great variety. What is your opinion?

There are also slight differences in dress culture. The kids all wear uniforms at their school. Not just the clothes, some schools are very strict and they have to all cut their hair. Not all schools in Canada have uniforms or a dress code. I prefer Canada. The fabric of clothing is also very different. Although it is super-hot in Tanzania, they do not often wear clothes like shorts. But the girls wear long skirts, dresses and so on. The men also wear pants without getting hot.

Also, the time is different. Tanzania is eight hours ahead. It is really hard to contact there because it is a different time. They also count time differently. This is how you count to twelve in order in Swahili: moja, mbili, tatu, nne, tano, sita, Saba, nane, tisa, kumi, kumi Na moja, and kumi na mbili. The way they say time is actually six hours ahead. When someone says saa kumi na mbili, it doesn`t mean 12:00 like it sounds. It actually means 6:00. Interesting right? One o’clock would be saa saba in Swahili . I was always confused by it but that is the way time is counted.

Those are my top differences between Canada and Tanzania. In Canada, I like the way we do not have as strict dress codes, more food variety, and smooth roads. In Tanzania, I liked the beautiful natural environment, the nice weather, and the interesting culture. Can you think of anymore? I hope you enjoyed my articles on Tanzania.

Maxine Mutasingwa.