After all the animals, nature and some supernatural, I headed further out into Zanzibar in Tanzania which is an archipelago, a collection of islands! The view of the mountains was a delight to see as I crossed the plane.
I had a few days to kill here before heading to Zambia where several of my friends awaited me and my exciting company (I am sure!). I had checked into this shack of a hotel and woke up late as my friendly guide Dixon knocked on the door “Hey sir, wake up! I have to tell you something about tomorrow’s plan.” he bellowed. “Hang on, hang on!” I said as I stumbled out of the bed half naked with sleepy eyes. I looked around this beautiful shack in Zanzibar to find my keys to the room so that I could open the damn door. “Damn!” I swore, “I can’t find the room keys, hang on!” I said as I grabbed my bag to see if it was there. “We will have to break the door from outside.” Norman barked for helped. A tragedy was avoided and as luck would have it, I found my keys under the bed sheet and opened the door. Norman told me the schedule for my trip for the next day which was “I will have to leave now for Dara Salam. My friend will come and pick you up tomorrow.” he said with a glee in his eyes “Till then, enjoy the sunset on the beach.”
I went for a quick dip in the pool and parked myself on a hammock. “Abbey kya khana milega?” I said to the barmaid in Hindi. She looked at me perplexed. “Arrey, koi khana de do yaar bhook lag rahi hai.” Now this time, the barmaid looked really confused “Arrey madam khane mein kya hai.” I almost yelled at her. “sir, what I no understand.” Damn, I suddenly realised I was speaking to her in Hindi. I was in Zanzibar and not New Delhi. “Oh sorry sorry, can I get some food and a drink of beer?” She smiled “Oh yes yes, I get a sandwich for you, sir, you just enjoy!” So, this was my state in the morning as I awoke to the fresh breeze that came through and all the travel befuddling my mind!
And I mumbled to myself through and through to lunch which consisted of prawn salad and chicken with rice. My mind was not at ease and I was increasingly paranoid that the guides were fleecing me and over charging for the trip! But they were just my thoughts. I am sure he means well and he said he is a friend, so I should trust him now?!
The internet is a bit up and down in the shack and as I looked at my face in the mirror, I saw my hair turning greyer than they were before. I felt sad again about all that I have done in life so far and my age was even catching up. If I have to cover 200 countries, I better do it quickly before the time is over! But I have had feelings like this before when it felt like it would be my last day on this planet.
The food inside me, a late breakfast and a later lunch did me some good and it cheered me up a bit and I was happy now than I was earlier in the day! It felt great and the wind cheered me up as it flushed my face as the evening approached. “Hello, Zanzibar! I am really here!”
