Celion Dion

I know I’ve briefly touched on music before, but I find it really interesting!  American culture and media seem to have their fingers dipped into every country! 

We have a couple of different CCS drivers.  I mostly end up riding with Ebraham. Ebra is a big fan of American rap and hip-hop, among other more surprising selections.  On the average morning ride to placement I might hear anything from Tupac, to J-Lo, to Cher, to Darude (sandstorm), to Enrique, and then we make our way to some Snoop Dog.  Imagine 12 women in an enormous van riding around belting out “Do you believe in love after love” with a driver who looks shockingly similar to the black, main actor on 40 Year Old Virgin.  If you can picture that, then you pretty much get the idea; it’s a crazy good time!

He installed a pretty bumpin’ sound system into the van so you can always hear when CCS pulls up.  I don’t really know how I feel about it yet.  I mean I do enjoy the music for the most part.  There’s good variety and it usually gets me pumped up for placement.  On the other hand, it only serves to strengthen my image as a mzungu as we blare American music with the bass almost blowing the speakers.  Today on the way to placement I was reminded of Steve-o and Duluth in general when “Arab Money” came on.

If you want to know the two favorite songs of Tanzanians just refer to the links below.  Strangely enough Hickel showed me that song by K’Naan like a year ago, before I even had the idea to go to Africa.  In all seriousness though, these songs are everywhere around here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Wig_vHUVc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRpeEdMmmQ0

I think my favorite musical moment in Tanzanian happened the other day at our group intern meeting.  Moses Polepole (the program director) was leading our meeting when I hear a familiar song spring from his pocket.  “There were nights when the wind was so cold”…  Yes friends, Celine Dion.  It was very hard for me not to burst out into song considering I know nearly all of the words and spent many a night with Krysta and Hailey lip syncing to it in England.  Tanzania if full of surprises, musically and otherwise!

I’m thinking I should burn Ebra a cd on my computer. In town you can purchase singular blank cds for like 300 Schillings (25 cents).  What could I add to his musical repertoire that he doesn’t already have?  I think it’s time Tanzania gets to know Kid Cudi.

On a last, sort of out of place note:  I’m going to Zanzibar from Wednesday to Sunday with 12 other CCS volunteers!  I just felt like I should tell someone from home where I’ll be…so now you all know!