(August 2020, from my journals. Tanzania Tales comes first. Nothing like six weeks in Africa to forget about a global pandemic and a glacially slow moving painful divorce.) This was my Eat, Pray, Love.
The beginning of the Africa adventure: Tanzania Tales – Part 1 – Take off! California to Zanzibar! (Later Dar es Salaam with stops in Nungwi and Mnemba Island)(Opens in a new browser tab)
https://www.expedia.com/shop/second-chapter-nomad/africa (small commission if booked through me)
Days 22-24 Africa – Flight for One (A Metaphor here perhaps? A New Life for One?)
Started this journey in Zanzibar, and back here again after Tanzania.
Thursday morning said goodbye to my son, his GF, and Prisca (an incredible Tanzanian university student that ended up spending much of the last two weeks with us). Also to the wonderful staff. Not five minutes into my solo journey on the way to the Arusha airport, I was in a minor car accident. It appeared that my driver deliberately let a woman hit us and then he swerved into a pile wood. There I sat in the backseat with all of my belongings as a crowd of men gathered around the car. A bit of a tense moment. Then I’m told to get out – with all of my things – into the hectic street scene. Mzungu (white person) creating a scene as always.
My driver arranged for another “taxi” to take me. Off we go through the dusty traffic, then swerve off onto a bouncy dirt road for the airport. Once parked, my door is stuck and won’t open. Driver works on it for awhile before I have to crawl out through the driver’s side.
FLIGHT FOR ONE – DESTINATION ZANZIBAR!
Never have I ever seen such a little airport! I soon realized I was the only passenger awaiting my flight to Zanzibar. Started to question that I had paid cash for this ticket the day before. I thought I had booked a regular flight. Looked for my “seat assignment” and saw that there was none.
Finally a small aircraft landed, full with about ten passengers. My suitcase is wheeled out alone. A ladder is put into the cockpit. I am directed to climb said ladder and sit with the pilot for this flight, doubled over in laughter. I could not believe it, but I managed to stay calm for the hour and a half journey and enjoy the breathtaking journey, feeling like I was in a video game with the controls at my finger tips. A brief moment of panic when the pilot was sleeping. Landed safe and sound.
TEMBO HOTEL
Arrived at Tembo Hotel, an old relic from perhaps the 1920s, on the beach with wooden fishing dhows bobbing at shore. Ornate Indian and Middle East influences. A bit horrified after the day’s adventure to discover alcohol is not allowed at this hotel (Zanzibar is predominately Muslim). Alas, there is a beach bar next door, and I enjoyed a fresh mojito, watching the local lads train in the sand, and party in anchored dhows.
Once again, the shower water pressure is but a trickle, and the main pool is empty, but the air is sultry, and the ocean every shade of turquoise. I climbed into the oasis of my mosquito net enclosed bed and slept deeply.
Writing a new script. So inspired. Found my motivation again. Free. Alive.
Next post: https://secondchapternomad.blog/2023/03/25/zanzibar-dreams-part-2-nakupenda-island-and-cinnamon-spa/
Leave a Reply