Zanzibar, Africa

Six months ago I didn't even know where Zanzibar was. One year ago my cousin, Shauna asked if I wanted to go to Africa with her for a safari. I was like, "yeah right, like I'm going to go to Africa." Well never say never.

I wanted to write more about Ethiopia, but the book w/ the info I need is in my room, so I will do another entry later about that country.

I landed in Kilimanjaro and had to hang at the airport for about 3 hrs until my connecting flight to Zanzibar. A bit confusing bc I didn't have a paper ticket bc this part wasn't in my original flight plans....but it all worked out and the africans are very helpful.

So, in the states, the black people are called African Americans. Does that mean here they are African Africans? Or what if I lived here, would I be American African? Just call a spade a spade.

I was on the plane next to a Swahili politician. Abdi. He was an older gentleman who was in a business suit. It was a noisy flight and I was going on 24 hrs of travel, but this is what I gathered:
He has worked for the United Nations and traveled EVERYWHERE it seemed. 3 kids, 2 boys live and work in London as engineers. He lives in Dar es Salaam which is south of Zanzibar. Wife and daughter there and 1 or 2 grandchildren...anyway...he works for the people of Africa trying to improve quality of life.

Malaria kills more than Aids does here (in Tanzania anyway) They use "preventive" methods such as bug sprays (malaria is infected thru mosqitoes), they have some sort of curative medicine but I missed that part....He worked in the cashew industry for a long time (which were the nuts served on the plane, he gave me his) and he told me a bit about them, they grow on trees, can't eat them before they're roasted, poisonous. Healthcare, education are big problems in Tanzania, like most 3rd world or developing countries. Said people here are very, very nice.

Swahili is the offical language, "Yambo" is hello, I was saying "Mambo" but thats not right, it's not a dance.../

Shillings is their currency or US dollars will work as well.

Abdi wanted to make sure I was picked up in Zanzibar bc I had no hotel or contact confirmed. He came back inside to where the luggage was being handed out (they didn't have a convyer belt. He said he and his driver would make sure I had a place to stay, but by that point I had some sort of contact for a pick up. It was a very nice gesture, also gave me his business card if I had any problems whatsoever.

Ended up having 3 people to pick me up, there was some confusion w/ that bc it was mostly my fault, but since I didn't have any confirmation of a contact at the airport I tried a couple of different avenues and ended up double booking people. It all worked out and I got a guy that is part of the safari company we will be doing in a couple of days.

The people have huge smiles and beautiful teeth! They are very friendly and helpful. Today though, I had no towel at all, not one for shower or the pool. Laundry is collected and taken to town for wash then returned. I was out at the pool for 3 hrs w/ no towel so I went into a vacant room and took one. I had asked 4 different people to help me and I guess no one thought to into a vacant room where no guests were staying....anyway, it's all good I guess.

I walked on the beach this morning, glad I bought a bunch of ziplock baggies in New Zealand. I use them to store all my treasures I find on the beach when I am playing marine biologist. Saw a man pawing through the rocks and shells and asked him what he was looking for. Sounded like he said "wood" but there wasn't any on the beach so I was confused. I handed him a brown one that looked kinda like wood and he said, "no, that concrete" we both laughed! I didn't know....very nice people.

Had a Zanzibar Punch at the pool, tasted like juice, not sure if they put alcohol in it, oh well. Very cheap food and drink here. Had a Kilimanjaro beer at the airport yesterday. Not too bad.