Rasta Florence’s Road to Zanzibar

Hakuna mattata!! Jambo!
Demonstrating how au fait I am with Swahili!
I have now been to Africa.... but there is much more on my agenda.

Dubai to Zanzibar.... 5.5 hours.... and transported into another world.
Straight to Paje Beach.
I picked up a shell
She sang of blue waters
White sand
She spoke of tall dark warriors
Driven by drought and times
Their cattle starved...
Masai warriors having to sell beads to pink tourists
Dance for their pleasure
But I saw the man in these men
I saw Masai

I swung for days in a hammock
Comforted by Ishmael
And gin

Stone Town waited for me
And unleashed a violent tale of slavery
It battered my shell soothed peace
I wandered through tiny alleys
Awash from tropical downpours
Mamma braided my hair in her upstairs rooms
And babies rolled on the floor at my feet
Tiny dark stairs into a Stone Town home
Men called out, offered their services?
I wandered alone
Rasta woman, they called, I will show you round
Blonde hair called to them
I keep it tightly braided
And each afternoon I sit at the Beach House, watching young men
Play soccer and preen and exhibit amazing physical skills that leave me open mouthed.
And dhows sail past
Blocking the red rays of sunlight
I sip a mojito
People here are the best I have met
Smiles
Jambo

I am in love.

Florence and the Promise of Pleasure

Australia hits Xmas... those summer holidays are wonderful.... congratulations to my friends who have made it to the end of the year... nearly!
For us here, we head into winter break after a heavy week of exams and marking. Feeling like the dark is moving away, but it isn’t really as it is only the bringing of the light signaling an ending.
Waiting at the end of the week is the promise of white beaches , bare shoulders and blue water... sand, seafood and wine! Hedonistic and sweet.... I can feel it.
My Xmas will be spent on Paje Beach on Zanzibar Island..... a time I am waiting  for, avidly!
WiFi will be a bit dodgy and spasmodic I think so images of my delight will not be always available.

So
Awesome holidays to you all, enjoy your families and friends and your freedom...... I will be thinking of you. It’s been a strange year but one filled with everything any person might wish for... next year will bring more and it will be many months until I see you all as am doing another year over here... to get my fill!
Off now to walk along Gulf Road .....