Oh the Humanity!: Friendship is International Adventure, Thursday, period 1

[vdistinctive]

"So was it fun being a wolverine?" Pinkie asked, poking Eliot in the hip with her hoof.

"I don't know how many different ways I can say 'I don't wanna talk about it'."

"Fifteen so far. Did you like having fur? I don't know why humans don't have better coats. Or scales! I bet wolverines have great teeth, too."

Eliot sighed. "Hi," he said to the students, who had hopefully begun gathering by now. "Welcome back. I hope you all enjoyed your break." The portal opened up behind him, and Pinkie led the way through, Eliot bringing up the rear as usual. The portal opened up into a street in a low-lying, closely packed city full of old buildings and clear Islamic influences. "Today we're spending some time in --"

"ZANZIBAR!" Pinkie crowed, drawing stares from a few locals.

"Stone Town," Eliot said, not so much a correction as further specification. "The major city of the archipelago of Zanzibar, Tanzania. That's in Africa, for those who aren't as up on Earth geography."

"This entire place is a UNESCO heritage site," Pinkie said. "Which means it's super old and super important! Just chock full of interesting places to see!"

"Lots of history around here," Eliot agreed. "It was one of the most important ports in the Indian Ocean through the 19th century. Unfortunately, it also housed the largest legally operated slave market in the world. If you're up for it, the old Anglican Church houses a museum about the slave trade. Not a lot of fun, but worth taking a look at and learning about anyway."

"If you don't want to get depressed," Pinkie said, "There's some pretty fantastic beaches and gardens here, too! I think I wanna go snorkeling."

Eliot tried to picture Pinkie snorkeling. The fact that he could kind of worried him. "Me, I'm gonna head for the Tea House. Best food and views in town."

In case anyone else was interested in a food tour of the world. Maybe Eliot would do that for a workshop this summer. . . .

Comments

Re: Talk to the teachers

[locointhecoco]

"He doesn't wanna let me go snorkeling!" Pinkie seemed rather put out by this. "I even have my own flippers!"

Which was good, since no way did they have any flippers around here built for hooves.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[hexentotchen.livejournal.com]

Hanna gave the man a sad look, then looped an arm over Pinkie's shoulders. "Please? Is there a problem?" Then she said it in French, in case that was the issue? "She won't bother anyone else, I'm sure they like pink."

Re: Talk to the teachers

[locointhecoco]

The dock worker rolled his eyes. "She is a horse. Horses do not go snorkeling!"

"Then why do I have my own flippers?!"

Re: Talk to the teachers

[hexentotchen.livejournal.com]

"She's a pony," Hanna argued, "A special pony. She can talk and is pink and you are being... what would it take to let her go snorkeling?" she asked, instead of continuing that line of discussion.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[locointhecoco]

The dock worker stared at her. "You are insane," he said. "We are both insane and hallucinating this swimming horse. Fine. Do what you want to do. If the horse drowns, it's not my fault."

"I'm a great swimmer!" Pinkie protested.

After squealing and cannonballing into the water.

Re: Talk to the teachers

[hexentotchen.livejournal.com]

Hanna had to laugh. Then grin at the dockworker. "Have a great day!" Then she dove in after Pinkie, giggling.