Our adventure to the enchanting island of Zanzibar, Tanzania, began right from the bustling Chennai Airport, where an unusual question at the checkin counter puzzled us. The airline staff asked us whether we would need one window seat or two, as if the seat could be shared. That was the beginning of the many surprises that awaited me and Arvind Ragghav V.

Our next stop was the Oman Airport, where we were greeted by an amusing mix of people. Passengers around us were in a frenzy, worried about missing their flights. They kept waking us up at odd intervals causing confusion. It turned out that our flight was scheduled for the next day, a humorous start to our Zanzibar adventure.

Later, all our anxieties were eased when we received a message from Mr. Shabu K George, Consul of India in Zanzibar, immediately upon landing. Knowing that someone was there looking out for us, this gesture gave us confidence in a foreign land.

As we reached our accommodation – Africa House Hotel – we were pleasantly surprised to discover that it was managed by an Indian named Mr. Manas. Little did we know that he would soon become a cherished friend, a guiding figure throughout our stay.

The reason Arvind and I were in Zanzibar was to conduct coaching classes for the screening test at the Karume Institute of Science and Technology. Dr Mahmoud Abdulwahab Alawi and Dr Zuhura Juma welcomed us with open arms, ensuring that our classrooms were equipped with all the necessary requirements. Their support was invaluable, setting the stage for our teaching journey. In fact, Dr Zuhura Juma ran from pillar to post, assisting us with the monumental task of printing out stacks of question papers. In the classroom, we met with students who were eager to learn and were deeply passionate about sports.

To make our lessons more engaging, we drew parallels between scientific concepts and the world of sports, connecting two seemingly disparate realms. The students’ enthusiasm made teaching an absolute delight.

Our journey would not have been complete without experiencing the vibrant Indian community in Zanzibar. We were honoured to be invited by the Consulate General of India to celebrate the Indian Independence Day, where we had the opportunity to interact with fellow Indians and gain insight into their lives in this distant corner of the world.

Days turned into weeks as we were immersed in work, visiting the institute every morning with packed lunches lovingly prepared by Manas. We would return to the hotel in the evening. Weekends in Zanzibar were a treasure trove of exploration. A visit to Prison Island introduced us to the gentle giants of the sea – 100-year-old tortoises. The pristine beaches with their picturesque beauty felt like they were scenes plucked from a postcard.