Most days we take a trip to the market. Our Swahili is not good enough to chat with many folks. Mia (100), mia tano (500) and elfu (1000) are important words, as is the use of fingers and the display of the coins or notes. When we have been at a loss someone, a student from the college or a total stranger has come to our rescue. If we have been charged twice the price the locals pay we would not know, and it would not hurt us much anyway.
Chips and chapati from the local food hall are very edible, and much better value than the chips from home. Minimum chips (the only size serve really) is 600 Tshs (75 cents), and chapati, a sort of fried pancake type bread, 200 Tshs. The local 'donuts' (no holes) we buy from the kids. They may not be hot, they do not have any icing, but they are OK, and who would argue anyway over 100 Tshs.
The fresh produce is aso cheap with an abundance of stalls selling most types of fruit and vegetables, spices, rice, etc - and a variety of other stuff.
A visit to the market is an adventure in itself - and we always encounter people who want to talk to us, or kids who want to practice their English.
For us "Asante sana" (thank you very much) is a major part of most conversations.
