Fast cars and Minarets

Dr. Amadi left his car for us to use and over the last couple of days we have gathered some courage to go outside of our neighborhood to test out our skills. Kim has been our driver and our first night out we found ourselves in the middle of a tropical downpour with a foggy and dirty windshield. It's rare to see a 'Mzungu' in the driver seat so we get a lot of attention and waving as we pass by on the bumpy dirt roads that have speed bumps every few hundred yards. Children wave and shout Jambo and the women smile and look at us like, 'Wow, do you really know what you are doing?' Cars beep when they want to go by and there are bikers and locals on the side of the tiny roads. On our way home from seeing John off to the ferry this morning, we found ourselves stuck on the small streets of Stonetown on a street that should be a one way but isn't. Not much seems to bother the locals here, though, and they pass by smiling and waving.
There are also many colorful small local buses that fill the streets and seem to stop whenever. Oftentimes, there is a man at the back who spots people and allows them to hop on. They are usually filled to, what seems, an uncomfortable brim.
 
We went to the local market yesterday to buy some necessities. Luckily we had a local help us negotiate prices and also lead us to the best shops. They are fast and steadfast in their negotiating here, often times willing to walk away if they don't get the asking price. Above is a photo of a typical store as well as the traditional gaments that the women in Zanzibar wear. You can hear the speakers from the tall Minarets in town 5 times a day as the Muslims are very religious about their prayer. Over 80% of the island is Muslim.
 
Today is the end of Nini's Spring Break so we are now sitting in a semi-air conditioned room preparing for her upcoming study schedule.
 

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