Zanzibar is hot, like, Africa hot
Monday, March 17th, 2008Finally arrived in Zanzibar! Woohoo… With me hobbling around (knee still busted from the hike), we find our way around Stone Town, the old town of Zanzibar,dodging the brutal sun whenever possible . We checked out the sites and had lunch at a spot with a nice view of the water. Later, we found a restaurant that had ‘Banana Split’ on the menu so Paula got excited. When she ordered it, though, they said they didn’t have it. Being the genius that she is, she inquired and found that they, in fact, had bananas, chocolate ice cream, and chocolate syrup. What they didn’t have, however, was a clue as to what a banana split was or how to make it. So, they just say they are ‘all out’.
After dinner, we discovered a night market that is full of fresh fish (octopus, baracuda, reef shark, and other specialties). Mauricio got a grilled octopus tentacle (leg?… not sure what the tech name is). We all tried a bit and it turned out to be very good.
Later on, walking home, we met the town drunk. He offered directions, then proceeded to follow us, nagging all the way about how we’re ‘not nice’ as we redirected and decided to take a taxi (drunk guy following the taxi for half a block) home.
The next day we got up early and set off on a snorkling adventure. We found a very reasonable rate so the 3 of us piled into the boat and off we went. We saw all sorts of underwater life. Many fish, beautiful coral, etc. All the while with incredible white sand beaches, the most blue of skies, and crystal clear water… this is what it’s all about!
Still not having banana splits, paula ordered an ice cream with banana and chocolate sauce after lunch.
Later on that evening after we finished a nice dinner we were, by chance, again, escorted to a cab by the same town drunk… he still doesn’t like us. He seems harmless at this point and is becoming a joke to us.
Our last evening, we stop by the night market to see what we can get. After some haggling, we tried the reef shark, baracuda, and the ‘pancake’ that is actually more like a breakfast burrito (thin dough-like shell with egg, meat, onions, tomatoes, etc inside)… delicious! (and no ill effects if you catch my drift… wink wink nudge nudge) No escort by our cranky drunken friend this time… oh well… oddly, we missed him a little bit.
The next day we get our things together and head for the airport. After Mauricio is held up for a bit they finally let him through with a ticket. He has 10 minutes to board his flight and his bag has not been sent through yet… hmm. Finally, they take his bag and we hear ‘Luggage tag? can I get a luggage tag?’ Apparrently they’re just going to load it with no tag. ‘How are you going to know where it goes without a tag?’ he asks… logical. Well, when we get through to the gate we get to see the plane he’s going on. Smallest plane ever. Maybe a 6 seater?… including captain. We can see and wave at him in the airplane as it heads off the runway. Then, we crack up as we watch the tiny thing use less than a tenth of the runway to take off. Off goes the only bit of home we’ve had in three and a half months. Thanks for coming out, Mo, it was a blast!!! As for us… to Egypt!
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