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Tanzanians pay attention to tourism – Jesse Jagz

Jesse-Jagz

Jesse Jagz

Popular rapper, Jesse Abaga, aka Jesse Jagz, had a lovely time in Tanzania. He tells TOFARATI IGE about some of the highlights of his trip to the East African country

Which interesting places have you visited that really struck you?

That would be Paris and Tanzania.

Why did you travel to Tanzania?

I went there for a festival organised by the British Council. Two artistes were invited from different African countries and I was selected to represent Nigeria.

How long did you stay there?

About a week.

What fascinated you most about Tanzania?

The pristine colour of the ocean, the sands on the beaches and its ambiance. The people are also very lovely.

What’s the state of their infrastructure?

I think the infrastructure in African countries is pretty much the same, apart from cities like Lagos and South Africa. However, in Tanzania, they have their own style of architecture. Their houses are more compact and the roads are a lot smaller.

How would you rate the transportation system?

I went with the British Council, but on some occasions, when we had to go out, we boarded cabs and it was fairly convenient. Some of the roads were well tarred, while some were riddled with potholes.

Can you recall some of the notable places you visited in Tanzania?

We went to Zanzibar, though I cannot remember the name of the village. I went to a lot of other places like markets and clubs but I can’t remember their names because it’s been a while. We also went on a radio tour, so I was able to see different places.

What was the reaction of the people when you performed?

Even though there was a language barrier, it was amazing. I guess that anywhere in the world, once you have true talent, people would appreciate it.

Did you meet people who knew you before your visit?

Yes, I did.

How were you able to communicate despite the language barrier?

Like in every country I go to, I try to learn the basic words in their language. Because it was a British Council event and there were a lot of foreigners, it wasn’t too difficult to communicate. It was also a festive period and the people are used to having tourists around. Also, Tanzanians speak  a kind of Pidgin English.

Did you learn anything from their way of life?

I think their way of life is a whole lot simpler than what obtains in the bigger countries. The people are very hospitable and simpler in their approach to things. They are not as aggressive as  people in Lagos or any other state in Nigeria for that matter. They are also proud of  their country and heritage.

Did you visit any historical place?

Yes, I did; but I honestly cannot remember their names. What I can remember is that while in the airplane, we flew over Mountain Kilimanjaro. But we didn’t have enough time to explore and go up there. The sight was totally amazing from the plane anyway.

How well do they maintain their tourist sites?

One of Tanzania’s biggest sources of income is tourism and they pay a lot of attention to it. The hotels are well managed. Even in the smallest village, the hotels there are of good standard. Also, the design of the tourist sites is more African than modern

Did you see anything there that reminded you of Nigeria?

A lot of things reminded me about Nigeria, though they might not be good things. There are some streets that I entered that reminded me of Nigeria, but they had a different feel.

Even though Tanzania is in Africa, did you experience any culture shock?

No, I did not.

Did you try any of their local dishes?

Yes, I did. I tried some of their local delicacies about twice but I didn’t like the taste so i made sure that I ate only Nigerian food. However, they have a type of Jollof rice that they cook, but the seasoning is different from what we eat in Nigeria.

What do you think Nigeria can learn from Tanzania?

One of the biggest things is tourism. We need to make our country inviting for tourists, so that people from all over the world can come and visit. The environment must be clean, with proper drainage and other amenities. We also need to get our structures and organisation right. It’s a lot easier to get things done when things are organised. We need to get over things like tribalism and religion to create a level playing field for all.

Did you buy any artifacts?

I bought a lot of things like paintings and sculptures. I also bought some of their local musical instruments.

What’s the best travel advice you can give?

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and don’t eat what you don’t know.

Where’s your favourite travel destination?

That would be Jos in Plateau State, Nigeria.

If you are to sell Jos to a foreigner, how would you do it?

The weather is cool and the people are nice and friendly. There is also good food and the mountainous terrain is fabulous. There are so many rocks, mountains and hills, so those who love to hike would have a lovely time there.

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