While visiting Bishop Gervasius Nkalanga at his residence
in Bukoba, Tanzania we discussed the many varieties of bananas in the local area
that is lush with tropical vegetation. After explaining that the Haya people
have 18 varieties of bananas – small, sweet finger bananas, plantains,
unsweetened cooking bananas, beer bananas, etc. he asked me how we eat bananas
in the United States of America. I described how we slice sweet bananas on dry
cereal and add cold milk and sugar, then the unique ‘banana split” desert with
plenty of ice cream and chocolate sauce. The bishop’s eyes lit up and he
exclaimed, “Now we have 20 ways.”