22/10/2009 Lushoto, Tanzania Tamaini Hotel 18:48

A different day for sure. Not filled with much sightseeing and exploring landscapes. Instead it has been a mixture of introdction to the legal system of Tanzania. I was invited to sit in on a murder trial today much of it was spoken in swahili so the facts I am not aware of but the images were striking. I scribbled some thoughts down during those moments here are some of then.



****

'A guard rests the barrel of his assualt weapon on the top of a table. His weight pushing down. A support for him to rest on to hold up his tiring body"

'I sit in the high court of Lushoto, Tanga District. The shapes around me are catching my focus.'

'The guard of the suspects is slanted in a chair, one that looks as if it has been dat on by many before him that the back rest is curved.'

'Lawyers sitting at the bar, heads down, enveloped in their hands.'

'Three suspects in a row, their dark skin in contrast with the bright walls behind them.'

'A head drops, one of the suspects has dissappeared from my eyes. I can only assume, a verdict of quilty.'

'The judge is quick and intolerrant of the prosecutions preparations. At that time, a hornet flys in the room. Will it be a witness for the trial. Not quite, it trys to leave but some one has placed a forcefield between it and the outside world. It rests on the edge of the window for it to deactivate.'

****

After the trial I was invited to go the lunch with the lawyers of the prosecution. It was uncomfortable. I felt ignored amd uncared for and mostly neglected for my presence. I had just spent 2 hours hearing nothing but swahili and was looking forward to talking about my experience. They were barely interested. My interpretation was that I was imposing myself on them at lunch. At times I would sit there for minutes with each minute being painful confusion in my mind of what to do. I attemptd to engage, discuss what I saw today. But at times I was bluntly interrupted by the lead prosecutor. My politemess, my ego surfaces and I try to derive a way to get out politly, thank you Sonia! She is a friend I met who asked me to mail a postcard for her from Lushotto since it would then have a stamp of the area, it was my saving grace. 30 mins before the offices close I excused myself, paid for my meal and left. Happy to be gone I went about my day.

Apon reflection, the three men whom were on trial and the guards around them were social with each other after the trial in a way i have not seen before. They were the last ones to leave the court house. Smiling and laughing as they awaited for the vehicle to take them to prison. It was as if the fact that two had been convicted of manslaughter and the other of murder with 4 and 6 years of prison time respectively, did not take place or maybe just another step in a journey they were too familiar of being a part.

It has rained much the last few days and unfortunately I have not been able to go up the mountains to explore the beautiful sites. Do I stay and wait a few more days, I hope the rain stops enough for the paths to become hard. My other option is to head to Dar in the morning and say so long to this place another visit needed and someday it may take place. Much to do in Dar. :) Will decide soon. Let's see if I meet anyone at Dinner.

Nicholas

PS: Got a throat infection. Received some antibiotics at mount Kilimanjaro walk in clinic, all is better now. :)