Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Fisher's Work

After Layton's chopstick tutorial for European immigrants, they moved on to other tasks. Whether they chose to learn or not wasn't Layton's primary concern.

Some had already grasped the basics and were experimenting with chopsticks, but most were still struggling to use them effectively.

When it came time to eat, as expected, these newcomers faced challenges. The small chopsticks felt awkward in their hands. Some who gave up simply held the chopsticks in their palms, picked up their bowls, and shoveled rice into their mouths.

However, those who had learned the technique picked up food with their chopsticks in a more refined manner, savoring the novelty of it.

Some individuals had learned the theory but struggled with the practical application. Their chopstick-holding posture was correct, but they had trouble gripping and holding food properly.

The Fisher family, in contrast, was well-prepared for life in East Africa. Before leaving Stuttgart, Fischer sold his modest home and its furnishings, which weren't worth much due to their age and condition. However, the proceeds were still a welcome addition to their resources.

Fischer wisely deposited the money in the Hechingen Development Bank as instructed by immigration authorities. There was a branch of this bank in East Africa, providing a secure place for him to store his funds.

Apart from the house and furniture, Fischer found little else of value. He packed a few pots, pans, knives, forks, spoons, and some tools from his construction work. With all their belongings in tow, the Fisher family journeyed across the ocean and settled in East Africa.

In East Africa, they were assigned a spacious house in Dar es Salaam, which had previously belonged to the Sultanate of Zanzibar. The original owner had left with the Sultan, and the property had come under the control of the East African colony.

This brick and tile house was in excellent condition, far surpassing their former small and dilapidated home in Stuttgart. This allocation alone made Fischer feel that the move to East Africa was worthwhile.

Despite the benefits of free education, Fischer wasn't too concerned about it. He himself had never attended school, and the people he associated with in this era were largely illiterate. In a place like Germany, which was strongly influenced by aristocracy, knowledge wasn't considered a path to changing one's destiny.

Regarding his salary, Fischer had somewhat miscalculated. There weren't many places to spend money in East Africa, and Fischer didn't indulge in vices like smoking or drinking. Consequently, he couldn't find many ways to spend his earnings and continued to deposit money in the bank.

Dar es Salaam, being a vital commercial hub along the Indian Ocean coast, also hosted a branch of the Hechingen Development Bank. Apart from handling the wages of colonial personnel, this branch primarily served businessmen and sailors from various countries.

Dar es Salaam's strategic location attracted sailors, who often engaged in side businesses, such as selling goods acquired overseas. The city's position allowed them to profit by selling these goods locally, rather than making the long journey back to Europe.

Meanwhile, on the construction site near the docks of Dar es Salaam, Fischer was hard at work directing the construction. The original Zanzibar buildings had been demolished, and East Africa planned to build a hotel and beer hall in their place to cater to the ships docking there.

With the withdrawal of the Sultanate of Zanzibar to Zanzibar Island, the previous port staff had also left. The property, previously used for accommodating and serving merchant ships, had fallen into the hands of the East African colony. The colony aimed to revitalize these commercial activities while transforming Dar es Salaam.

The construction was to have a European-style feel to appeal to both European and Arabian sailors, and Fischer was overseeing the construction. European architecture, especially Baroque and Gothic styles, were in high demand. Although Fischer didn't have extensive knowledge of these architectural styles, his years of experience working with various clients and incorporating current German architectural trends made him adept at the task.

Fischer paid meticulous attention to every detail, testing and modifying each step of the construction process to ensure its quality. Many of the workers in East Africa were former farmers with little experience in construction, and Fischer's expertise was invaluable.

While Fischer wasn't just an ordinary construction worker, he was far more skilled than the laborers in East Africa, most of whom had minimal exposure to construction work, particularly in urban settings.

As Dar es Salaam was transitioning to a city, the construction needed to meet professional standards, especially as it was intended to serve as accommodation and other services for seafaring individuals, demanding a more polished appearance.