Searching Ancient Alleyways

Zanzibar consists of numerous small islands and two large ones, Unguja the main island and Pemba Island. The Zanzibar Archipelago is located about 50 kilometres off the mainland of Africa.

Shrouded in excitement, we headed to the welcoming hallway of The Shangani Hotel. The elegant ceiling fans created gentle breezes. Seemingly in slow motion. Dark wooden furniture stood proud and heavy. Enhancing the long open corridors. Hookahs were strategically placed. Embraced by huge textured cushions. Luxuriously thick carpets added softness. Their rich dark colours offsetting the gentle lighting. An ambience of intrigue. It was all so Arabic. So exotic. I floated through the wealth of treasures. My mind playful with camels, saffron and incense. A moment of pinching myself. Of how did I get to be here. Walking amongst the cherished offerings that embody the past.

A unique world heritage site. We walked the streets of Stone Town. For hours on end. Trying to absorb the kaleidoscope of activity and life. We visited the birthplace of Freddie Mercury. Precious memories of attending his live concert in South Africa flooded back with clarity. 

We strolled along ancient alleyways.  Each one beckoning us to explore the treasures they behold. Art displays embellished every corner. Vegetables for sale were complemented by works of art. Establishing the notion that each deserved celebrating. Quaint shops bared their merchandises with a deep sense of pride along the cobbled sidewalks. People were busy. Some simply sat alone with their thoughts. As I did.

The famous Zanzibar doors greeted us. Standing in elegance and strength. As they have for centuries past. Captivating me completely. I stood before them, dreaming of a home consisting of doors from this ancient town. Stone Town was both exhilarating and intriguing. The architecture. The people. The diversity. The sounds. Forming a rich intricate tapestry. One filled with colour and hope. Yet, in certain places, there was a deep sadness. An ongoing grief filtering through those exquisite doors. Ghosts of the tragic past. I felt sure that if we stood still long enough, we would hear the slaves screaming out at us. Begging for help. Desperate. 

We wandered deeper into the heart of Stone Town. Stopping to savour the incredible spices on hand. The aromas infused the heavy air. Tormenting our taste buds. Transporting us to another realm. Another world of culinary ecstasy. I rested on the steps of a home. The coolness of the ancient stone bringing respite from the midday heat. A beautiful child welcomed me into her space. Her face radiant with love. I sipped the fresh coconut water. Its health benefits restoring my energy levels whilst watching people from different cultures coming together. Walking side by side. Talking. The human connection.

The sunset from the balcony of Africa House provided us with an extravagant closure to what had been an incredible day. Sitting in a massive colonial-style chair, ice-cold Kili beer in hand, I reflected on the events of the past twelve hours. Silently giving thanks for the rich experiences. Each one to be cherished. To carry with me. From which to learn. Time stood still that evening. I was entranced by my surroundings. 

The early morning Islamic prayers echoing through the streets woke me. I lay in silence. The hauntingly beautiful sounds infusing my soul. Another interesting world to explore. From which to gain insight. My breathing deepened. The tide of intrigue swept over me. Reality came knocking on the door. Announcing breakfast. An excuse of a meal served on the rooftop. It was awful. Stale white bread. Cremated eggs. Toxic coffee. Sacrilege. Not an ideal way to start what was to be yet another day of adventure.

We headed to North Beach on a bus. Exploring the famous spice tour en route. The extensive variety of trees, shrubs, plants and creepers kept us enthralled for hours. However, ‘Butterfly’ captivated our attention. Short in stature. With an all-powerful physique, he literally ‘flew up and down’ the tallest palm tree. His hands and feet used as anchors. Hurling coconuts down to where we stood below, he displayed his potent strength and agility. Once again, the fresh juice of coconuts quenched my thirst. Fully recharged, we set off for our final destination. 

To be continued …