Here we go.
So I'll start with the village of Paje. We spent 3 nights at a beach house, which was basically three rooms, a classroom, and a porch perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean. When we arrived we actually couldn't believe that it was real, and were blinded by a combination of white sand, crystal clear water, and cloudless sunny skies.
We had a great time swimming, then had to go inside (shower optional) to get ready for Swahili class. I really like learning the language, the teachers are really understanding and share funny stories with us all the time.
We have one teacher named Usi and he is like 5’2”. Wears the little muslim cap, and dances around like a leprachaun. Anyway, we asked him about his family, just trying to kill time in class one day. He launched into a long story about his new son, who is 8 months old. “I like him very much”, he explained to us in his chirpy, Tanzanian accent. (keep in mind, he is 67). We asked him how old his wife was, and he said one is 37, another is 54. And he has 12 kids aged 8 months to 35 years.
The multiple wife thing is crazy, we grilled him and here is what we discovered. A Muslim man can marry up to 4 wives, although divorce is legal so if they want, they can divorce one to make room for a new, younger wife who will give them more babies. It’s really all about the kids, and carrying on your name. Also men do not feel that women have any right to tell them that they cannot get married again. Women exist solely to have children, tend to the house, and cook.
We went to a snake park where they keep snakes in cement enclosures, and we got to hold most of them (the boa constrictor was sooo huge! Clearly we were a bit freaked out..)
Next up: Swimming with dolphins and homestays!
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