Zanzibar!!!!

It's been a month since our last posting and I'm having a difficult time condensing this rich experience into a few brief paragraphs.  We have been busy with 22 students coming and going to our house throughout the days to use the mostly reliable wi-fi for their important tasks such as  and  homework for their 4 classes plus FaceBook under the cooling ceiling fan.  Jim seems to spend his days either glued to his computer or negotiating the labyrinth of  various officials to get national park permits, residency status, a local bank account, bus drivers and tour guides. Nothing is straight forward here and the inefficiency is profound, causing countless delays and detours. Prices seem quite fluid, requiring constant negotiating whether it be for market items or tour guides.  Jim's patience has grown quite philosophical about it all, riding it out with the local saying "hakuna shida" - no problem.

Zanzibar spice market

A fantastic long weekend trip to the off shore island of Zanzibar was a true highlight for all of us. The island has a long history of successive occupations by Arabs, Germans and British who all left their mark.  The Muslim culture is now dominant and although Zanzibar is officially a part of Tanzania it has held on to its rich heritage.  The island is famous for its spice trade of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon and uniquely carved wooden doors that hide the lushness of Arabic courtyards with tropical greenery and mosaic lined fountains.  Winding stone streets filled with small shops and open air markets are easy to get lost in.  Fishermen ply the seas all around the island in their triangular sailed dhows and women grace the streets in their brightly colored flowing shawls and long dresses.  The pace is slower on the island, lulling visitors into a more relaxed mode.  It was delightful.

Another great field trip was an archaeological tour of the National Museum in Dar es Salaam which houses many artifacts that have been unearthed here in Tanzania, most notably by the Leakey family find of Prosthyothithicus **** a 2.5 million year old hominid skull.  It was so amazing to be present with such ancient evidence of our evolution to this point in time.

An endangered Red Colobus monkey setting the tone on Zanzibar 

The classroom section of the program is now completed and students are off adventuring independently for a week before the 6 weeks of field camp begins up north in the land of the Serengeti and Maasai.  Jim and I will be taking the ferry back to Zanzibar for some R&R for a few days before joining them for the next stage of this incredible experience.  It will be fun to hear the students' stories from their time hiking, going on safari and snorkeling coral reefs. Jim and I will be in Dar, wrapping up work details and then heading back to the island of Zanzibar for some rest ourselves.  We'll keep you posted and as always, know that we think of you all and look forward to hearing from you when you get a chance.

Badaaye (later in Kiswahili)

Jim and Carol

Night food vendor down by the harbor where nothing's a set price

3 students at the Slave Market Memorial

Zanzibar selfie

Back yard banded mongoose

Dhow returning to harbor with day's catch

Carol's painting in anticipation of the next section of the course - Safari!