On our way to Zanzibar

We're leaving Kenya tomorrow on a short flight to the Island of Zanzibar. After a 7 hour bus ride yesterday down the coast of Kenya to Mombasa, we just couldn't face another 10 hours of bumpy roads with blaring Indian music (yes, they love Indian music here, and I'm very, VERY afraid for our India leg.)

Last night we stayed with a woman named Salama from Global Freeloaders.
Salama was great, (a social worker at a children's home). She made us a wonderful dinner and we had a nice time talking.

However, Salama's house was less than ideal, by our wimpy, spoiled, western standards.
Her house was one room (about the size of an average American bedroom) that she shares with her sister. The house was neat and clean with a bed, a few chairs, a coffee table and a tv. The bathroom is shared by about 25 people who live in the complex and consists of a squat toilet (this is also the shower room --- just grab a bucket and go). Outside her door is a small ditch where all the sewage/garbage goes and eventually finds its way to the ocean.
The "kitchen" is a small propane stove they use inside the room. Dan and I got to share a single mattress on the floor, while our heads pounded with propane fumes, we roasted with heat and we could hear at least one rat munching something near our heads.

Needless to say, this morning we said, "thanks so much for hosting us!" and promptly checked into a cheap hotel.

For Kenya, Salama lives in a pretty nice place. It was safe, dry, had electricity and water and was mostly quiet (except for the rat, and the neighbor who kept playing "the Gambler," followed by Dolly Parton).

Hardly anyone here has a single modern appliance like a refrigerator, microwave or washing machine. It's rare to find a western type of stove. Most houses are still built with sticks, rock, thatch and cow dung... maybe, if the family is wealthy they have a tin roof. I entirely expected to see some houses like this...but I'm still shocked that it is the norm.

We'll talk to you from Tanzania -- perhaps the internet will be faster and we can upload photos.

P.S. For all of you reading Harry Potter -- I want NO hints until I can get my hands on a copy.
P.P.S. I'm fully stocked with a variety of secondhand books again -- thanks to everyone for the recommendations.