Zanzibar Days

Here are some new pretty pictures of Zanzibar, and a poem about how I feel, some moments. The poem makes it all seem pretty bad but it really is not that horrible. We are just discouraged by the job search, we have sent about 500 resumes. But it only takes one person, and we are feeling confident that we will make something work, soon enough. Enjoy the photos and there will be more to come.
LIFE IS GOOD.
And we are very lucky to get to see so many different ways of life, and to be living a far more privileged life then most people in the world.
Something to think about.


























Settled in to the monotony of routine,
Coffee and a daily walk,
To a quiet shop,
With few divers,
No music.

Hundreds of resumes sent,
All over this side of the world,
Wrong seasons are holding us back
Staying here for a bit makes sense,
But can we find enough happiness

Unwillingness to instruct,
Lacking the desire to kneel in the sand,
Teaching the same lesson,
Each day,
Every week,
More new divers,
Unsure they will remember,
Lessons to save themselves.

Trips to town causing stress,
Glares from the locals,
As we share their transportation,
They accept the tourist
But seem to view us differently,
We are taking over their home.
A fake smile and hello,
Begging for money.

Missing food,
Cheese, meat, fish, and variety.
And no where to keep it cold,
Only one burner to cook,
Limiting options.
Restaurants covering the beach,
Each one,
The same menu.

Spoiled by the paradise,
Bored by the lack of activities.
As we each finish another book,
The beauty of the dhows and the reef,
Are simply not enough,
We seek companionship,
Friends.

My brain hurts from the computer,
My eyes have blurred,
The world suddenly seeming small,
As we search for a dive location
That seems safe and logical for us,
Thousands of dollars away to a new home.

Happy to have each other,
To keep our sanity,
Our house a haven,
To cook and cuddle,
And forget.


We wait for a response,
Someone to give us a chance,
To offer us a new place,
Somewhere,
That we can make home

Zanzibar

Jambo,
Mambo,
Poa,

Virtually every stranger,
Sharing a hello,
A friendly passing,

Long stretches of soft sandy beaches,
Separated by huts,
With palm thatch roofs,
Local artwork,
And smiling faces

Villages of people,
Living only on the land,
Growing food to live,
Mending mud holes in their homes,
Knowing no different.

Underwater lines broken,
No power,
Generators buzzing energy for few,
Many people continue life unnoticed,
We settle into the flicker of candle light.

Respecting a Muslim culture,
Covering up,
Trying to blend in.

Learning Swahili,
Enough to show respect.

Enjoying new dives,
With different rules,
A very slow boat,
Carved by hand,
Ropes twisted individually.

Settling in,
Expecting powers soon,
Will be odd to have light,
A new comfort.
As we adjust to the slow pace,
Bright colors,
And happy smiles,
Of Africa.






Our Home

Five Weeks Around

It all began,

As we sailed together around the boulders and beaches of Praslin,
Embracing the conversations from our different lives.

Surrounded by sharks and rays, diving, swimming, drifting around Maria Rock,
The currents and bleached coral piles reminded us of of natures power.

Walking on my own, dancing naked, around the squawking island of Bird,
I found pleasure in my solitude as I discovered my desire for socialization.

On a bicycle around La Digue, as far as the path would go,
I enjoyed incredible beaches and I forced smiles on the faces of strangers.

On crowded colorful busses we crept up and sped down every corner of Mahe,
I cuddled with locals sharing small seats as i glimpsed into their lives.

In the end,

I sailed, I swam, I walked, I biked, and I rode, and I saw, through the many colors of the Seychelles.