Habari za siku ngingi?
After well over 3 months since my last entry, I am indeed still in Zanzibar, attempting to soak up all that this experience has to offer. With my Kiswahili slightly stronger, my sense of direction in Stone Town less misleading, my enthusiasm for Zanzibar’s signature dish, mix urojo – an amazing soup that kick’s Wolfgang Puck’s butt any day – increasing daily, and my wardrobe equipped with floor length skirts and kangas galore; I am happy to report that the wonders of this community at which I used to stare open-mouthed, have become part of my daily routine.
From my cup of coffee that I share with the same group of elderly men each day, to the bui bui-clad women who join me on my beach runs the few early mornings a week I manage to wake up at 5:30, to the sharks/swordfish/sting rays I step over to get to buy my mangoes and papayas, to the discussions about the merits of polygamy or the hushed conversations about the islands’ contentious politics; I am reminded daily that Zanzibar’s layers are many, and it is much more than a beach paradise (though her sands are indeed white, and waters turquoise).
So, as maintaining this blog is part of my goals for 2010 (thank you Ms. B), I intend to begin by highlighting some of what has become part of my daily routine here in Stown Town’s Darajani neighbourhood.
Karibu sana.
