Kuuliza si ujinga

The other day, a Tanzanian asked why so many Americans and Europeans come here to see the parks. "Do you not have parks in America? Are there no wild animals there?"

This is a fairly common questions. Tanzanians are well-aware that tourists come here from around the world to see their parks, but that doesn't mean they know why. If you've lived in a country with elephants, lions, and giraffes all your life, and haven't traveled to another country or seen much TV, it's won't be obvious to you that not all countries have lions. Nor will you realize that these animals, which have always been in your country and have always seemed like ordinary wildlife to you, fascinate people in countries many thousands of miles away.

My favorite part of answering these questions is trying to explain American wildlife. I have yet to find a good way to explain bears. "They're like, uh, uh...well, a little like a lion but not exactly, uh...let me show you a picture in this biology book."