T.I.A

In a not so recent Hollywood blockbuster that revolutionized how many of us thought about the use of a certain gemstone for that “pop the question” moment, Blood Diamond, the acronym T.I.A was used on a number of occasions. What exactly does T.I.A stand for? This is Africa. What I’ve come to understand of this phrase from a personal level, more-so because I’ve forgotten the exact reference of it in the movie, is that Africa is completely backwards from the rest of the world. Tanzania, furthermore, is a complete 180 from the rest of Africa in regards to the progress that other countries around it have shown. The occurrence during my stay here in Africa that I most hoped to utter TIA after experienced it happened this morning as I was pulling back the drapes to welcome in the morning sunlight and a medium-sized yellow gecko/lizard (I call them ‘Stevies’ after recently watching Madagascar 2 on the flight from Amsterdam to Nairobi) ran from where it was camped out on the window pane, up the wall, and slithered into the woodwork along the ceiling in a matter of 3.7 seconds. After that happened I made sure to shake my shoes out before sticking my feet in them lest any scorpions be ‘camped out’ as well. TIA

And what do you do for entertainment at night when the power is out for days on end after the government decides to save money by triggering a rolling blackout and all you have is a handy LED flashlight that still operates and going outside isn’t an option for risk of being mugged or murdered? Make shadow puppets on the wall. TIA

I have seen 3 doctors in the hospital I’m residing at simply put down their instruments while in the middle of casting a patient’s leg [mind you that said patient is a 6 month old screaming girl] with 9 more patients yet to be seen, scrub up, change their clothes and leave the hospital because their bus was leaving. Their response – “I’ll have no way of getting home otherwise”. You never heard of a cab? I have witnessed other surgeons cancel patient scheduled surgeries because they didn't want to take the time that day and operate, despite the fact that the child had been waiting 3 months for the operation. Disgusting professionalism, but TIA

Patient’s mothers will sit and play with their cell phones or text while their screaming baby sits in front of them. No attempt to console the child is ever demonstrated. But to them their deformed baby operates like an ugly accessory that doesn’t go with any of their outfits yet their forced to wear. Worse yet, therapists will put down the child that they are working with when getting a phone call or text so that they can attend to their personal telephone rather than their patient. Africans and their cell phones. TIA

Public sanitation doesn’t exist. If you’re responsible you burn your garbage. If you’re like most of the people here you simply throw it on the ground for other people to trample. [Hopefully I can get a picture uploaded here so that you can see how bad it is.] TIA

The Maasai, a warrior tribe of east Africa, have been reduced to directing people in where to park their cars on the streets outside of establishments and attending over them while people are inside. The intent is that it keeps thieves away from attempting a break-in/car jack for fear of running into a Maasai where they run the risk of being stabbed or killed. TIA

Have you noticed yet that there is a lot of thievery and violence here? TIA

Breastfeeding in public is socially acceptable. Hospital staff strongly encourage the mother to let the child "suckle" while treating as it keeps the child quiet. Natural pacifier, but I'm still uncomfortable with having the mother just "whip it out" right there in front of me when her child starts to cry. TIA

I will have more TIA moments to post over the course of the next 11 weeks. I’ve got some dandy of rants and raves to post. For now it is off to bed for me. For you: you are busy at work looking forward to lunch. Enjoy your day.

More to come. Stay posted.