Day 9 - Zanzibar Doors Galore

A slight deviation to today's post, we are going to talk about Stone Town's doors. But before we go there a little bit about last night.

So Ginz and I decided to venture to the Forodhani Night Food Market held each night near the foreshore. Vendors aplenty selling seafood, chicken and beef skewers, along with felafel and other vegetarian delights. It was a sensory overload and the food abundant, more abundant than could be consumed in one night; read between the lines! We played it safe as we started feeling a little fragile from the safari. A couple of chapatis, a fried potato ball and fried banana to share. We then ordered a chicken skewer as Doctor Doolittle had to feed the congregating stray cats! Cats are the same everywhere we noted. These were mangy, flea ridden, starving critters but a few of the buggers still turned their nose to the coal cooked chicken. Cats, spawn of the devil!

So the next day we are booked for a spice market tour but our Tanzanian belly is on full throttle. We will spare the details other to say we didn't go on the tour, nor did we leave our hotel room for 24 hours, enough said.

So doors  then.....

Zanzibar is re known for its famous doors which are they only thing that is cared for , well almost.  The elaborately carved wooden doors of Stone Town manifest the cultural roots of Zanzibar (just love saying this word).  The clash of Swahili, Arab and Indian traditions. If you look closely, the giant masterpieces tell stories of the residents social status, religion and profession.  The brass studs signify the wealth of the resident or would come in handy to deter any pesky hawker. Close the door on that face and they will know about it !  Only kidding :)

Watch your back as the door slams behind you!