By Nuwar Elnuman
Exploring the Motherland:
My Journey Through Tanzania
As a foreign-born African, I've always found myself captivated by the diverse cultures and landscapes that span the continents I've visited or lived in. From the sweltering heat of the Middle East to the sandy terrains of North Africa and the lush greens of America, the stark contrasts are undeniable.
Boarding the planes that whisked me from the United States to Tanzania, I couldn't help but wonder how similar this East African country would be to my native land, Sudan. I anticipated the familiar dry weather, the rugged roads, and the occasional sandstorms that characterized my memories of home. However, what awaited me in Tanzania was a delightful surprise.
Instead of the arid landscape I expected, Tanzania welcomed me with lush tropical scenery. Palm, banana, and coconut trees adorned the landscape, while passionfruit vines sprawled across the countryside. It was a far cry from the image I had conjured in my mind, and I was immediately enchanted by the tropical escape that surrounded me.
While the beachfront villas offered a taste of luxury, it was the simple villages that truly stole my heart. Here, life unfolded at a slower pace, with locals going about their daily routines of washing clothes by hand and tending to wide, free-roaming cattle. The safari experiences were nothing short of surreal, and the taste of the food, made with pure, authentic ingredients, was a revelation.