Kilimanjaro

I campaign for this song to be no. 1. It’s a joy.

Dreaming of Zanzibar

I really want to back to Africa and not just to be doing this (I have a very similar photo of my time in Zanzibar). I’ve started reading a few Africa-related blogs and the itch that is the Africa drug is getting louder by the day. I’ve also just heard from the little girl I am sponsoring in Ethiopia and I so would like to meet her.

To execute this plan I have to get a job and then persuade the Beloved to take time off and come with me. Or win the lottery – oh well may be a bit of a long term plan then.

Long time

But thoughts of Africa are still strong and I SO want to go back soon.

Showed my friends my pics on Saturday and all agreed I looked much healthier and happier in Africa (a London winter is challenging even to the most naturally radiant complexions).

I am also delighted to report that I have had emails from my ladies – hurrah! I am less delighted to report that the package I sent about two months ago has yet to turn up.

Long Way Down

I urge everyone to watch this series – especially now they’ve reached sub-Saharan Africa. I had a smile on my face the size of the Equator – it really brings Africa to life from poverty and senseless fighting to elephants on your doorstep.

Tanzania is everywhere

So having had the pleasure of seeing Tanzania all week on GMTV, now it’s on Ray Mear’s Bushcraft. It’s very nice of the telly to keep reminding me of the lovely time I had.

Culture shock

So I actually have a worse case of culture shock being back in London than I did going to Tanzania.

For example: I went to buy some Parmesan in M&S on Monday. I got so bewildered that it took me 25 minutes of confusion before I walked out clutching some cheese and a tub of pineapple. I can’t even face the possibility of doing a ‘proper shop’ so it’s living out of the freezer until I feel able to go into Sainsbury’s without having a nervous moment.

GMTV’s coverage of Tanzania this week has also had something of an upsetting effect on me. Not least because what have the Tanzanians ever done to deserve ‘the pleasure’ of having Fiona Phillips visit them in an oh-so-charitable fashion?

Zanzibar

So I haven’t blogged much about Zanzibar yet. This is largely because it was SO nice and SO lovely that you wouldn’t believe me if I told you: think Bounty advert without the annoying and not-very-nice-tasting coconut chocolate.

I ate my bodyweight in seafood (fooling myself somewhat that fish and fruit and veg is incredibly healthy – yes I know this is the diet of supermodels but they probably don’t have a seafood platter which is made up of a whole crab, a whole lobster, a whole something else that looked a bit like a lobster, some octopus and tiger prawns!)

Also Zanzibar people (Zanzibarbarians possibly?) do not shout “mzungu” at every passing white person (it would take up most of the day given the number of tourists) which is refreshing. It was very odd being a tourist though. Can’t really put my finger on why, I suppose it’s because I’ve been away but not a tourist for quite a long time now.

Anyway, top tips for Zanzibar:

if you can try to take all luggage out of Zanzibar as hand luggae (it means sacrificing the remnants of your sunscreen but saves you no end of hassle).

lots of tourist shops in Stone Town means low prices – so do your shopping here.

don’t too many of you go at once as it will get all over run with tourists (including towel wielding Germans – I kid you not).

Zanzibar

So here I am and it feels REALLY REALLY odd to be a tourist. Also very strange to see so many white faces.

Tons of Germans on my bus and my flight this morning – I had no iea there were any Germans here, they must keep themselves well hidden! Just about managed to get a seat but I think that was only because their beach towels were packed away in some of the most giant rucksacks/travelling wardobes I have ever seen – I have no idea how much baggage allowance is in Germany but they looked like they could house a small family in those bags!

I am off to wander round Stone Town and then tomorrow I head for paradise.

Off for a few days

So I’m going to Zanzibar tomorrow and quite looking forward to being busy doing nothing. Having been teaching email and internet all week, I am quite looking forward to getting away from the computer.

The long arm of the law

I wish this story wasn’t true but…

…yesterday one of the girls was in a taxi when it got pulled over by the police. The problem? The policeman was thirsty and wanted the mzungu to buy him a soda. Considering they carry semi automatics she obliged – well what would you do?