Sunday, February 11, 2018

Quiet Moments

I have a theory - actually, I have many theories, almost every one of them universally fatuous.  However, I do have a theory which I believe in quite strongly, and which every right thinking individual knows to be true: travel is designed about imagined epic adventures, but defined by wonderful, unexpected quiet moments.  On the recent trip to Zanzibar there were a number of extraordinary events, some good and some bad, but there were also a boatload of unplanned, transformative moments, but sweet and bittersweet.  One night out on Pemba we were coming home when the bus broke down outside a village, which left us with time to kill.  Because the bus had to be jacked up we had to stand outside, and all of this occurred in the gloaming. This crew was now always the most naturally adventurous or adaptive, but they treated the bus break as an adventure, and their general tomfoolery on the side of the road is one of my favorite memories of the trip.

Jackie Noborikawa and Anna Matich look on as Caitlin Blanchette and Claire Yeash revert to middle school and slap the hell out of each other.  Truthfully, it was pretty charming.

Clare Mangan, who made friends with every living entity in Zanzibar, teaches local kids how to patty cake.  Steven Baumann looks on in amusement.


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