Zanzibaris believe that dogs are one of the dirtiest animals alive. Therefore, unlike Mendoza, there are no stray dog issues. The island is over-run by cats. So since I get to be choosy, I only pet the really cute kittens. These cats feed off of generous locals as well as the trash.
Let's talk about the trash situation here. There is a very poorly run sanitation system on the island and a strong culture of littering, which grates on the nerves of anyone born and raised outside of Zanzibar. Growing up, Americans are very clearly taught "littering is bad." Here, it is normal. I do believe that it started as a harmless tradition of throwing biodegradable food, like a banana peel, on the ground. But as consumerism and globalization has impacted this small island, candy wrappers and plastic bags get tossed on the street next to the banana peel. Even when I put out the trash, I pay someone to collect it and toss it somewhere. I'm not sure where that might be, seeing that I only know of exactly ONE dumpster on this island. It's possible it is toted about 100 feet down the road to the trash/rock heap that is also home to the neighborhood cat family (see picture below). All I know is that this trash issue becomes an eye sore for what is naturally a magnificent paradise.
So let's talk about cell phone culture. Cell phones, compared to the US, are a relatively new commodity here. So they're still figuring out how this instant communication fits into their relaxed way of life (more later on how the relaxed environment plays a huge part in the work environment). Somehow, between the deals anyone can get on extra texting and phone call minutes and the fact that no one seems to have much to do during the day, texting and calling people "just to say hi" many times a week is considered normal. And when one does not respond to all 12 calls/texts in the last week, there is questioning of how much that person values the friendship. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Zanzibaris LOVE their greetings. Well, they also love them on text! Do you know how many texts it requires to have this greeting back-and-forth!?!? Here is a typical greetings text translated into English:
Zanzibari: Any news?
Me: No news.
Zanzibari: Anything the matter? (Not considered negative here. It's standard to ask.)
Me: Everything's fine.
Zanzibar: How're things?
Me: Cool.
Zanzibari: How's work?
Me: Good.
Zanzibari: How's Rose (my roommate)?
Me: She's fine.
Zanzibari: How's it here (literal translation)?
Me: It's good.
Phew! Glad we communicated.
