When you
work hard as a team on distribution day, you also get a chance to relax as a
team as we did today on our ferry trip to Zanzibar, consisting of two main
islands and many smaller ones off shore from Tanzania.
Prior to
April 1964, it was known as the Republic of Zanzibar at a time when Tanzania
was called Tanganyika. In April 1964, Tanganyika
and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania.
Our visit
focused on Stone Town and spice farms.
Slave Trade
Museum
The island
of Zanzibar was the main shipment point for slaves being shipped mainly to the
middle east – 4.5 million is the estimated total! We visited a museum that
detailed how the trade worked. Pictured here is the monument that commemorates
the slave trade as well as an abolitionist poster used in Britain leading up to
the treaty ending slave trading in 1873.
Fish Market
Fresh fish
rules this island’s cuisine and at the fish market the rule seemed clear, “sell
it or smell it.”
And so, the familiar
cadence of the auctioneer was immediately apparent as customers gathered around
the raised cement platform and bid – but it was subtle; no hand signals, nods
anywhere but the end result was the same with the fish sold.
What a
choice of fish, including a big sting ray being dragged in off a truck for the
auction block.
It must be a
long day out early to catch and then tend to the stall – this guy was out cold
and looking pretty comfy as well.
…and
tonight, for dinner – some of us had lamb!
The visit
was a great way to relax for a day as a team and learn a little about some of
the local history as well as the what drives the local economy: spices, raffia
and tourism.
And in
support of life balance while doing the work of Sleeping Children Around the World, we
had a great relaxing and informative day.
For the
children,
Doug MacDougald, Gerry Jewitt, Carol and Joep Diening
Team
Tanzania 2017B
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