Zanzibar!

I have gotten behind since I didn’t have access to WiFi yesterday. So Monday, my travel day, Debi and I first went to Erik’s house to pick up a phone that I could use in country. It was not activated so that had to be done too. We then drove to the Selian Hospital to see Don at work. He has had to learn how to treat people without tests and drugs that are in all American hospitals. He also sees lots of Aids and third world illnesses like anthrax! On our way to the airport we stopped in a small town to look for a place to get a new SIM card for the phone and some minutes. We were directed across the street to a man sitting by the side of the road with a little table and an umbrella like we see at an outdoor cafe. It took a while but got the phone useable. Then on to the airport. It’s a very small airport with lots of small planes flying in and out. After I checked my bag, we got some lunch at the restaurant. Then I said goodbye to Debi and boarded the small plane to Zanzibar. Don and Debi will join me on Thursday.
The flight took an hour and a half. I thought the hotel would send someone to pick me up but saw no one. So I arranged a taxi to take me. The driver and everyone he knew had never heard of my hotel. That was my first clue that this wasn’t going to be good. It started to rain and the driver kept trying to find the hotel. Finally he found it and I went in. The lobby was so plain I wasn’t sure it was a hotel! They we not expecting me and had no idea who I was! My room was a huge disappointment. The pictures on the website looked nothing like what I got. No WiFi, no window, no mosquito netting. I had to ask for a towel and a top sheet for the bed. It was awful! They also didn’t even have a map of the town. I went out to explore and got a map from another hotel. I walked to the water and followed the shoreline. There was a lovely promenade with some gardens along the walkway. It was a busy afternoon with kids jumping in the water and stands selling goods and food. At about 5:30 I went into a restaurant on the waters edge. I had a pizza and got to use their WiFi. I watched the sunset and walked home afterwards. It is really hot here. I like heat but I kept wiping the sweat off my forehead. Inspite of the horrible hotel, Zanzibar is really special.