Hello all,

First let me apologize for not having written in so long. I have been at internet many times in the past few months and have used it an average of three hours each time. Why no emails then? I've been applying to graduate schools and often 3 hours seems like only half the time I need to get everything done. I've read very few personal emails and responded to even less. And this email will not catch you up on the past few months events. Anna and I have come to town for the sole purpose of viewing the election results and have found a few minutes to spend at an internet cafe.

I'm writing this email to give you an idea of the feeling here today. Starting from January I have had a few conversations about this year's election. During the past few months those conversations have become more frequent. So I asked one of my friends here if Tanzania always takes this much interest in American politics. The answer is, "No". Tanzanians usually hear the results on the radio but never before has a foreign election attracted so much attention. And from the international publications we get here it seems the case all over the world.

However, I cannot speak for all over the world. I can only speak for the conversations I have here. But remember my previous emails: a rural farmer with a 7th grade education can still hold intellectual conversations about politics. Education struggles here but people can grasp the complexity and importance of leadership. As Anna and I came into town today we boarded the village car as usual. But when we began our journey the driver did not tune into the local music station but a political one. As the jockey discussed current happenings in America the car was a buzz with American politics. Some talking about Obama, others McCain, others marveled how a country so big as America could count all its votes in one day. Here in Tanzania, roughly the size of two Californias, it takes 3 weeks to count the ballots.

Then as we walked through the local market, where the most English you'll hear is "Hey, my friend!" and "Fine, fine", everyone was huddled around radios and the few televisions present to listen to the results. We were called to translate for some watching televisions. The feeling was exciting. But that word does not give the mood justice and I've failed every attempt to come up with something better. An election that the whole world is watching. An election in our country. It is truly amazing.

America is a dream to most people here. A dream many have but few will realize. These past few years Tanzanians have felt America has closed its doors and sought only its own interests. But yet, America remains a golden standard. A land of prosperity and possibility. Today the world watched to see what is possible.

Justin

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