Girl Travels World

In my ignorance, I assumed that I would have a difficult time seeing differences between life in Kenya and Tanzania. However, even with my brief stays in only a few select areas, I’ve noticed some seperation.

English skill: In Kenya, all classes are taught in English, and education in mandatory until grade 8. This isn’t the case in Tanzania, where students need to come up with funds for schooling in the later grades and lessons are taught in Swahili.

Body as transport: Even in more rural areas of Kenya, I didn’t see a lot of women in the National Geographic ‘Africa woman carrying things on her head’ shot. In Tanzania, everyone does. Bananas are especially common.

Natural Resources: Outside of Nairobi, there are no trees. I assume this is because they were all cut down years ago to make furniture. However, outside of Arusha and Moshi, trees were still plentiful.

Visible Masai: Masai people live in the area between Kenya and Tanzania. However, I saw lot more Masai along the border in Kenya than across it.

Amount of Trash: Although both countries haven’t the faintest idea of what recycling is, Kenya seems incredibly dirtier. I think this is for the final reason listed below:

Westernization: Kenya is considerably more westernized. There is a lot more regulation on safety issues (such as limiting the number of people that can ride in matatus) and English is spoken in every school. Tanzania appears less touched by these influences, although this is changing. Carrie spoke of increased acceptance of western clothing styles, and garbage, compared with life a few years ago when she lived here.

In my business classes in college, professors often brought up the power of Coca-Cola around the world. I’ve now witnessed it firsthand in eastern Africa. Things Coke does to make a name for itself:

Make it cheaper than water: 350 mL of Coke costs around 30 cents. Water is around 50 cents. In Tanzania, Coke actually owns Kilimanjaro water, which most tourists drink.

Give free signs: Signs for retail shops, restaurants, schools and even towns have their names on Coca-Cola signs. I assume they were provided free, in exchange for the extra advertising.

Change out the Coke for sugar: There may not be cocaine in Coca-Cola any more, but there certainly is a lot of sugar. Coke drinkers from the U.S. will notice the difference. Candy is expensive but Coke isn’t.

Have more product: Coca-Cola also makes Krest – ginger ale, lemon and tonic water drinks. However, they do not actively promote the Coca-Cola brand and are served in 300 mL bottles instead of 350 mL.

Another, non-Coke related advertising note. In Kenya, all the light poles have poster-sized advertisements. A whole row of poles will have the same advertisement repeated over and over – usually for mobile phones, service providers or safety announcements warning against rape and robbery.

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