living a dream: winter(?) wonderland

if ever there was a place that existed on the border of wake and sleep, it would be zanzibar. in the land of dreams it is easy to get lost even in the places that are most familiar to us. the same is true of stonetown: in 2 or 3 days you will know this place like the back of your hand - familiar people, distinct landmarks and unmistakable smells. but take care because the sun always sets on the familiar just like the most unexpected twist in the most common of dreams. the skinny alleys and white-wash stone buildings that made so much sense during the day shrink and shift at night making a maze hardly solvable. was it a right then a left, or a left then a right?

in dreamland tall palms sway on the whitest sand beaches. you can almost feel the cool sand between your toes...and it's finer than talcum powder. the water is so turquoise that it can't really exist outside of a dream. time somehow stands still even as the sun rises and sets again and again. but then it happens...you're suddenly roused from your mid-day hammock snooze (somewhat annoyed because of the beautiful dream you were in the middle of). you rub you eyes, look around slowly and smile. you smile because you've just realized that it wasn't a dream...or if it was, you're dream forgot to shut off when you woke up.

* snow(sand)man made by matt. location: paje beach, zanzibar

ps. our time with brandon was amazing. we look very much forward to our time with him in burundi. also, much love to patrick (the british wonder) - our new friend. all the best in pemba and in your travels back home.