Zanzibar...

Tuesday - Thursday of this week the family and interns took a relaxing/scouting trip to Zanzibar. Upon our arrival, we immediately met up with a friend of theirs who is a tour guide. He took us to the market which consisted of a raw fish aisle, a raw meat aisle, and then many pleasant fruits, vegetables, & famous Zanzibar spices! After this we headed to see the famous Anglican church and learn about the biggest slave market in East Africa. They took us to the huge Anglican church and gave us a tour inside. We saw a statue representing the men and women. It had five people yoked together at the neck and we learned that large groups were attached at the neck like this and then put into a prison. As about 12 of us crammed into the 2-4 ft tall slave chamber in the dungeon they taught us that 50-75 slaves would be kept in this tiny cell. They were held often 2-3 without food or water. Many would die of suffocation because the "windows" were only about 1" x 10". Often times the tide would rise so high that water flowed in through the windows, drowning most if not all of the 50-75 slaves. Those who survived were escorted to the whipping post. They took us to a tree which they would tie the Africans to and use as an open whipping post. They informed us that the more of a beating the slave could take, the more he was worth. So the pressure was on as crowds gathered and watched the blood of these men flow freely. It was a very good and informative experience. After this tour we went and ate lunch and then went for some ice cream at the incredible Italian restaurant "Amore Mia". The rest of our day was spent shopping and bargaining. To be continued.......(for real this time)