Last Call

 Despite being home for a week, there are a few trailing events which need to be reported on.

So, signing off after this. Until the next adventure presents itself.

Obligatory Bruce & Turtle Picture (OK,OK, tortoise)

Chanukah Matata

Being away for Christmas also usually creates a Chanukah absence. Over our travels we have lit candles in Madagascar, Peru, and other parts of the world less familiar with the 8 day oil miracle. We had either brought a menorah with us or fashioned one out of local materials or tin foil.

As previously mentioned, Zanzibar has a population of 800,000. Of which 900,000 are Muslim. That said, at no time was there any element of discomfort, concern or apprehension at any point in our stay. 

So what is the likelihood of four jews meeting up in a remote corner of the island. Based on our previous experiences - about 50-50. So there we were, two Canadians, an American, and an Israeli cooking up latkes, lighting candles, saying the blessings, and singing Chanukah songs and explaining the history of the event to the other volunteers and staff members. In a nutshell, like all Jewish historical events, the plot can be expressed in three sentences.

They tried to kill us.

We won.

Let's eat.

The opportunity to engage and educate people of all ages, races, and places reinforces our own internal pride and allows for a feel good moment when Lord knows we can use one. If only we had a dreidel.

Queen for a Day

What is a trip to Stone City, Zanzibar without a visit to the Freddie Mercury Museum?

Farrokh, as he was originally named, was born to Indian and Persian parentage who had moved to the country as his father (not Mr. Mercury; Freddie took his name from the space programme) could continue his job as a mid-level civil servant. 

Freddie was Zoroastrian. One of the coolest religions of all time, named after one of my favourite heroes growing up. Little did I know that they turned Zorro (as played by Guy Williams in the '60's) into a deity. 

I was all over Zorro, as his name was spelled back then. He was the Latino version of Batman 

with a long list of comparables. Bruce Wayne was a single, wealthy, suave individual by day. Ditto Z-man's alter ego, Don Diego. Both wore masks and black capes. One rode a black speedy horse, the other a black speedy car. Both had only shared their identities with their butlers, Alfred and Bernardo. Both fought injustice and inequities on behalf of common man. Zorro worked solo while Batman had a foil, Robin. The only time Don Diego need a foil was to cover his half finished pot roast in the fridge. But I digress.

The Bulsara family lived in a modest home. Said home is now the museum.

No Idea Why This Pic Came Out Reversed

The ticket lady at the wicket was lovely. 

Quoting a $10US entry fee, I enquired as to the rate in the local currency of Tasmanian Shillings. "25,000", she replied. I was under the impression that an appropriate conversion would be closer to 20,000. She stuck to her guns and went so far as to bet me a soda. Turns out she was right. So in addition to two tickets, the entry cost me a soda. Perambulating through the regular rigmarole of childhood photographs, Queen album covers, testimonials from Sir Brian May and others, the more interesting displays were some of the costumes he wore on tour, originally hand written lyric sheets, and his piano. That said, there was not a mention anywhere in the display of his sexual orientation nor the cause of his death.

As luck would have it, the recently quenched Mrs. Ticket Taker, left her post and offered me the opportunity to tinkle Freddie's ivories. How could I refuse such an invitation. She came by, unlocked the keyboard and I sat down to play. She then draped Freddie's yellow jacket that he wore at the Wembley concert around my shoulders. 

Bismillah!!