Hello world,I have a new laptop! A tiny one, but with a keyboard, so I can keep on updating you on our travel adventures. Unfortunately the screen is already errornous (pixels missing) so I will have to return it... I knew it can't be the best option to buy something like this in Africa...
Anyway, we are in Zanzibar. What happened between Etosha and Zanzibar I noted down in a exercise book with a pen and bit by bit I will transform it into blogposts. As you can't know what we have seen and experienced in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania in the last weeks the following probably doesn't make much sense to you, but: Zanzibar is refreshingly different and lovable! Here the orient meets southern Africa and a little bit of European architecture, it seems to be worlds apart from mainland Tanzania and not just a 90minutes ferry ride...
Whereas in Tanzania we already recognised significantly more Muslims compared to all the other countries we've traveled through, in Zanzibar you seem to be right in the middle of the Arab world. Women were not only headscarfs but long garments covering the whole body and sometimes the face. It is Ramadan, so praying is the most important thing and you can hear muezzins calling from every corner at any time of the day. Life however goes on despite the fact that muslims don't eat and drink during the day. But they go to the market, do their business and serve food to tourists. Sometimes they would seat you in a remote corner of their cafe in order not to offend the muslim community. Eating streetfood in public makes you actually feel a bit bad but nobody would say anything to you.
The street sellers are quite annoying, sometimes aggressive. According to them you should constantly buy souvenirs, book tours or require a taxi. Saying no is mostly not enough, saying no 3 times doesn't help either and soon you find yourself being rude to these people who actually just trying to make money. It doesn't cross their mind that you want to be left in peace or even that western tourists are more likely to spend more money without having someone sweet-talking at their side...
Anyway, roaming the narrow streets of Stone Town, looking at the local market, trying exotic fruits and street food and relaxing at one of the many wellness centers is a real pleasure here.
Anyway, we are in Zanzibar. What happened between Etosha and Zanzibar I noted down in a exercise book with a pen and bit by bit I will transform it into blogposts. As you can't know what we have seen and experienced in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania in the last weeks the following probably doesn't make much sense to you, but: Zanzibar is refreshingly different and lovable! Here the orient meets southern Africa and a little bit of European architecture, it seems to be worlds apart from mainland Tanzania and not just a 90minutes ferry ride...
Whereas in Tanzania we already recognised significantly more Muslims compared to all the other countries we've traveled through, in Zanzibar you seem to be right in the middle of the Arab world. Women were not only headscarfs but long garments covering the whole body and sometimes the face. It is Ramadan, so praying is the most important thing and you can hear muezzins calling from every corner at any time of the day. Life however goes on despite the fact that muslims don't eat and drink during the day. But they go to the market, do their business and serve food to tourists. Sometimes they would seat you in a remote corner of their cafe in order not to offend the muslim community. Eating streetfood in public makes you actually feel a bit bad but nobody would say anything to you.
The street sellers are quite annoying, sometimes aggressive. According to them you should constantly buy souvenirs, book tours or require a taxi. Saying no is mostly not enough, saying no 3 times doesn't help either and soon you find yourself being rude to these people who actually just trying to make money. It doesn't cross their mind that you want to be left in peace or even that western tourists are more likely to spend more money without having someone sweet-talking at their side...
Anyway, roaming the narrow streets of Stone Town, looking at the local market, trying exotic fruits and street food and relaxing at one of the many wellness centers is a real pleasure here.
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