Melding and Melting in Zanibar

Well, I wish I could say my first few days in Zanzibar were filled with more exciting adventures, except I haven't traveled very far on my own because of the fear that I just might get lost, or the homework I must finish. Both two very stupid excuses, because those are parts of the adventure. However, what I will do is fill you in on some details.

Not everyone's thoughts and experiences of Zanzibar are ever the same. Temperatures top 99, and it is humid. Your hair gets frizzy. You are sweating buckets, and from the perspective of an outsider in Muslim culture, you have to FORCE yourself to dive into their belief system and cover your shoulders, your knees, your head, your belly, everything. Your clothes stick to you because you are so sweaty. This isn't Hawaii people!  You can't go walking around outside in your bikini, or short shorts and tank tops. In order to truly understand and appreciate the people, you must be willing to do what they do.

I have gained more respect from the people here by covering myself as they would. For example, vendors don't hassle me, women greet me, and children don't call me mzungu. Instead, they call me sister. More importantly, you have to learn to be aware and adapt to your surroundings. I cant walk around in my jogging shorts all the time because I have a teenage boy coming in and out of my flat. If I am not aware, I might put him in an embarrassing situation. Recently, I have also learned that women here don't get to attend mosques. They have to pray at home. My family is a laid back family and may not let me help as often as I would like, but I quickly learn the chores a woman does, not only in the Arusha culture, but also in the Zanzibar culture. 

This might sound redundant, but I am gaining an understanding of day-to-day life here in Zanzibar. For those who aren't men, or aren't women in the tourist business, people literally do a chore and then rest, do a chore and then rest. It's a constant cycle. Many women don't even like to leave their homes. It's not like America where you go out and have family time at a restaurant, or go to the movies, or go to a theme park. It's too dang hot, and why would you do that when you have food at home? That's their mentality. However, in the evenings it cools down, and the night hypes with people, with food galore, and with action.

Another thing I like about Zanzibar is that my Swahili is challenged in such a good way. People are so shy to communicate a language they don't know, and it's ok to feel shy, but as my Mama in Arusha says "you have to be Kichaa, to be a good speaker." You have to be willing to be a little crazy. If you only have a few words you know, communicate them in the best way you know how. In Zanzibar, people aren't as impressed with the fact that I can speak Swahili compared to Arusha, but rather, people are ready to correct me and give me feedback. The key is to never get discouraged. You are communicating. Communication is 80% body language and 20% words, and sooner or later you are going to get your point across. 

Street view from my apartment.

The things I have done, however, is spent money on ice cream... I am waiting for the right moment to get people gifts (they have a python skin for sale if anyone wants it), and the ice cream is so good. You can't pass up ice cream no matter what country you're in...maybe Antarctica, but you can easily get away with making snow cones. I will let you in on a secret. The other day I spent 30 cents on a bowl the size of a "like me" size that you would get at Coldstone. It might be a little difficult to adjust to American prices when I get home. 

I have also enjoyed resting at the beach. Not a bad place to do homework might I add, and if any of my Skype friends are interested, maybe you can make a quick visit to the beach from your homes in the cold fronts of winter. 

State University of Zanzibar (SUZA)

So because my host family is orientated with Alex's (my friend from SUZA), therefore being orientated with Alex, I get to hang out and explore with him andhis friend, Michael. To give you background about these two, Alex is on a Swahili Flagship study abroad program, while Michael is on a Boren Fellowship (I'd like to think its Bourne like Bourne supremacy...more exciting) through his graduate degree at his college in Louisiana. People who are interested in traveling, maybe go check that out soon. Alex is 21, is a premed major, and ma ybe from Indiana (don't quote me because I haven't asked yet), and Michael is 22, a public health undergraduate, continuing into his masters, and is from Rhode Island. Both of them have shown me around to gelatto, to the beach, to the market, to Zanzibar cuisine, to meet new people, and to even see my other fellow students' homes. It's been such a huge blessing to meet these fellows because they were very welcoming and very understanding with me. They are currently teaching me the ropes and the geography of the island.  I almost don't want to rely on them too much, because what kind of independent woman gets help? 

Lastly, I want to say I don't want to give off the impression that Zanzibar is unbearably hot, too conservative, and is dangerous because maybe to some, if you ever come here, it might feel that way. However, it isn't impossible. What I am saying is to try EVERYTHING. That is easier said than done because, no... I don't exactly want to go skydiving, and my life continues on without skydiving. However, there is magic in our surroundings. For instance, women may not like covering themselves to get a taste of Muslim culture, but whats the harm? It will teach you more than you realize. Another example is that sometimes in Tanzania...every food is finger food. It might not be the best manners in America, but you do it to understand a group of people and a culture different than your own. It is easy to be a tourist, but it's meaningful to embrace a world different than what you're used to.

Next time you go on international vacation, maybe one day embrace, or familiarize yourself with the way they live by diving in. You may say that life could go on without you doing that, but where's the adventure in that? 

Sending my love from Africa

Jax