stories of the land 2015: Seaweed, Sunshine, Some Seriously Blue Waters and Epinephrine (post by Lauren/pics by Shields)

This is my third trip to Africa, and yet each day as we travel to a unique location, I feel like a newcomer all over again. Today was glorious. As Michael shared during our closing reflection this evening, many students were not looking forward to heading out at 7:30 for a seaweed farm, but we were all blown away by our experience there. We were met by "mamas," a community of women who find great joy in their harvesting of seaweed. In addition to teaching us all about seaweed, they also introduced us to a new version of the song "Hakuna Matata" (words that we hear frequently in Zanzibar), showed us how to hold sea urchins, shared with us a most delicious seaweed and fruit juice, and gave us each a complimentary seaweed soap. We appreciated the opportunity to share in their genuine love of life.

Clara stated today that there is a purity of the experience in Zanzibar, and I could not agree more. We appreciated the purity of the spirit of the "mamas" and the warmth of so many of the people we have met on this island; the purity of the water, sand, shells, and all of the nature we encounter; and, significantly, the purity of the relaxation that it allows us. Having headed out so shortly after school ended, it is nice to have space for community and contemplation as we are learning. Nowhere could have been better for that than The Rock restaurant, which could only be described as paradise. Although it took a while for our food to come, we were able to lounge on a deck onlooking the water and sip on tropical drinks. I would have thought I was in the Caribbean, but it was even more beautiful than any place I've ever seen.

We closed the day with free time for shopping. Shopping here was a unique experience. At each shop, the shopkeepers personally welcomed us and encouraged us to come in. Many of us ended up with unofficial tour guides. As the students noted in their evening reflection, there is a sense in Zanzibar that "we are all in this together" and we felt welcomed into the fold!

Finally, I will note what an incredible treat it is to have the opportunity to work with these students. They are taking the experience very seriously, processing each element of the trip both intellectually and personally. They have taken on the Zanzibar spirit and are truly looking out for one another. Because of all that they are putting in, these students are already showing signs of being transformed by the continent "poli poli" (slowly slowly), and I am thrilled to be on this journey with them.

--Lauren