Zanzibar and Naivasha

I have to tell you about the fabulous end to my trip here in Africa.  Last week I was in Naivasha volunteering at Life Beads Kenya.  I got to work with men and women who are making art products to earn a living.  I stayed with Minalyn, the woman who started the program, and her family.  I learned how to make various different types of jewelry.  The people there were so nice and welcoming.  I even got to teach English one day to women from the community.  There was one lady who was over 90 years old!  I helped her practice writing her letters.  I was amazed at her determination despite her age.

This past week I flew to Zanzibar, which is an island off the coast of Tanzania.  It was beautiful and very hot!  The island is full of history.  The buildings in the main town are all white washed old buildings with big wooden doors that are carved with lovely designs.  I purchased a small wooden carving of a door that I will show you in class.

Unfortunately, the island was once used as a place for slave trading to countries in the Middle East.  I was able to see different places around the island that were used to keep slaves.  There is a sculptural memorial in the middle of Stone Town to remember those who were victims of the slave trade.

I spent one day learning how to make a batik tablecloth using stamps.  Said, the man who ran this program, took us to his workshop.  His family prepared delicious food for us using a solar oven.  The oven looks like a big metal flying saucer.  It is kept outside, and it uses the sun to heat up instead of electricity.  I also got to try weaving on a large loom, which is much harder than it looks.  I did manage to weave a small bookmark using grass fibers from a palm tree.

During the rest of my time in Zanzibar I went snorkeling, saw giant tortoises, visited other art cooperatives, visited palace ruins from a former Sultan's family, and went bike riding around the island.  I also went on a Spice Tour where I learned about different spices that are grown around the island as well as fruits.  Now I know all about where my vanilla, nutmeg, and cardamom come from.  One of my favorite things about Zanzibar is the juice.  They have many different juices: passion fruit, mango, watermelon with cucumber, pineapple, etc. And all of them are made fresh.  I also ate in a really interesting restaurant where everyone had to take off their shoes.  The floors were covered with grass mats, and the tables were very low to the ground so that we could sit on the floor to eat. Every night in Zanzibar I had to sleep under a mosquito net to make sure that I don't get malaria.  There are lots of mosquitos there!

I am returning to the U.S. soon.  I look forward to seeing all of you back at school in 2 weeks.

Kwaheri! (Bye)