Zanzibar December/03 |
Heat, humidity and poverty dominate. Its Muslim character makes it intriguing....the intermittent calls to worship are actually soothing. The evening we got in an end-of-Ramadan celebration in the park was winding down. Walking among the food vendors, we sniffed barbecuing lamb brochettes, octopus strips, frying bread and potato fries and watched sugar cane being pressed into juice. Women are elegant in their long robes and scarves, children spiffily dressed, siblings often in matching outfits. Considering the heat, you want to wear the least possible, but to comply with Muslim tradition, tourists need to keep knees and shoulders covered. You don't see many of the average overweight tourist with overweight bags here, rather hardier travelers already accustomed to African ways. |