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Description
The Gunny SackBy: M. G. Vassanji Memory, Ji Bai would say, is this old sack here, this poor dear that nobody has any use for any more. As the novel begins, Salim Juma, in exile from Tanzania, opens up a gunny sack bequeathed to him by a beloved great aunt. Inside it he discovers the past his own familys history and the story of the Asian experience in East Africa. Its relics and artefacts bring with them the lives of Salims Indian great grandfather, Dhanji
By: M.G. VassanjiMemory, Ji Bai would say, is this old sack here, this poor dear that nobody has any use for any more.
As the novel begins, Salim Juma, in exile from Tanzania, opens up a gunny sack bequeathed to him by a beloved great-aunt. Inside it he discovers the past — his own family’s history and the story of the Asian experience in East Africa. Its relics and artefacts bring with them the lives of Salim’s Indian great-grandfather, Dhanji Govindji, his extensive family, and all their loves and betrayals.
Dhanji Govindji arrives in Matamu — from Zanzibar, Porbander, and ultimately Junapur — and has a son with an African slave named Bibi Taratibu. Later, growing in prosperity, he marries Fatima, the woman who will bear his other children. But when his half-African son Husein disappears, Dhanji Govindji pays out his fortune in trying to find him again. As the tentacles of the First World War reach into Africa, with the local German colonists fighting British invaders, he spends more and more time searching. One morning he is suddenly murdered: he had spent not just his own money but embezzled that of others to finance the quest for his lost son.
“Well, listen, son of Juma, you listen to me and I shall give you your father Juma and his father Husein and his father…”
Part II of the novel is named for Kulsum, who marries Juma, Husein’s son; she is the mother of the narrator, Salim. We learn of Juma’s childhood as a second-class member of his stepmother’s family after his mother, Moti, dies. After his wedding to Kulsum there is a long wait in the unloving bosom of his stepfamily for their first child, Begum. It is the 1950s, and whispers are beginning of the Mau Mau rebellion.
Among the stories tumbling from the gunny sack comes the tailor Edward bin Hadith’s story of the naming of Dar es Salaam, the city Kulsum moves to with her children after her husband’s death. And gradually her son takes over the telling, recalling his own childhood. His life guides the narrative from here on. He remembers his mother’s store and neighbours’ intrigues, the beauty of his pristine English teacher at primary school, cricket matches, and attempts to commune with the ghost of his father. It is a vibrantly described, deeply felt childhood. The nation, meanwhile, is racked by political tensions on its road to independence, which comes about as Salim Juma reaches adolescence. With the surge in racial tension and nationalist rioting, several members of his close-knit community leave the country for England, America, and Canada.
I see this comedy now as an attempt to foil the workings of fate: how else to explain, what else to call, the irrevocable relentless chain of events that unfolded…
The title of Part III, Amina, is the name of Salim’s great unfulfilled love, and will also be the name of his daughter. He meets the first Amina while doing his National Service at Camp Uhuru, a place he feels he has been sent to in error. Amina is African, and their relationship inevitably causes his family anxiety, until the increasingly militant Amina leaves for New York. Salim becomes a teacher at his old school, and marries, but keeps a place for Amina in his heart. When she returns and is arrested by the more and more repressive government, Salim is hurriedly exiled abroad. He leaves his wife and daughter with the promise that he will send for them, knowing that he will not. The novel ends with Salim alone, the last memories coming out of the gunny sack, hoping that he will be his family’s last runaway.
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★★★★★ 5
But this all the time
Flavor Name: Blonde, Size: 3.5 Ounce (Pack of 1)
I use this for my iced coffee. So much cheaper than buying iced coffee, tastes great, fresh, and will froth up to a mousse texture if you want to make a creama.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Nescafe smooth
Flavor Name: Blonde, Size: 3.5 Ounce (Pack of 2)
Best coffee ever!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Taste of summer
Flavor Name: Coconut, Size: 25.4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
This is so coconutty and perfect! We keep this in the house to spice up our sprites, or even add to mixed adult beverages. It is sweet - but it is supposed to be.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2026
★★★★★ 5
⭐ DaVinci Gourmet Classic White Chocolate Syrup Review
Flavor Name: White Chocolate, Size: 25.4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
The DaVinci Gourmet Classic White Chocolate Syrup is a must‑have if you love café‑style drinks at home. It delivers that rich, creamy white‑chocolate flavor without being overly sweet, and it blends beautifully into both hot and cold beverages. Whether you’re upgrading your morning latte or adding a touch of sweetness to desserts, this syrup is incredibly versatile and delicious.
🍫 Why This Syrup Stands Out
Smooth white‑chocolate flavor: Creamy, mellow, and perfectly balanced — not artificial or overly sugary.
Great for hot & iced drinks: Mixes easily into lattes, iced coffees, frappes, hot chocolate, and even milkshakes.
Barista‑quality texture: Silky and consistent, making it easy to drizzle, blend, or layer.
Large 25.4 oz bottle: Plenty of syrup for daily use, entertaining, or experimenting with new recipes.
Versatile beyond drinks: Works beautifully in baking, frosting, oatmeal, and dessert toppings.
☕ Perfect For
Homemade lattes and cappuccinos
Iced coffees and cold brews
White‑chocolate mochas
Dessert drizzling
Smoothies and milkshakes
Holiday drinks and creative recipes
It adds that cozy café sweetness without overpowering the drink.
🔍 Things to Keep in Mind
Because it’s a classic syrup (not a sauce), the flavor is lighter and more mixable — great for drinks, but those wanting a thick drizzle may prefer a white‑chocolate sauce.
A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
⭐ Final Thoughts
The DaVinci Gourmet Classic White Chocolate Syrup is a creamy, smooth, and incredibly versatile addition to any coffee or dessert routine. It elevates homemade drinks with a professional touch and adds just the right amount of sweetness. If you love white‑chocolate‑flavored coffees or want a reliable syrup for everyday use, this bottle is an excellent choice.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2026
★★★★★ 5
✪ DaVinci | Gourmet Classic Vanilla Syrup: Great Flavor, Uses Cane Sugar, Great Price...
Flavor Name: Vanilla, Size: 25.4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
✪ DaVinci | Gourmet Classic Vanilla Syrup, 25.4 fl. oz. (Pack of 1)
_____________________________________________________________________>
♦♦ Vanilla Syrup:
● I wanted to reduce the amount of flavored coffee creamer
that I normally use, so I thought I would give DaVinci syrups
a try. This was the first time that I tried and used the DaVinci
brand.
♦♦ Coffee Time:
● I used about half of the coffee creamer that I typically use
and I added a teaspoon or two of DaVinci syrup to my morning
coffee. I gave it a good stir, then took a few sips and there was
plenty of flavor for my liking and it seemed to have a rounder
and had more of a vanilla like taste when comparing it to the
vanilla flavored coffee creamer that I normally use, I definitely
enjoyed the result.
♦♦ Great for Other Uses:
● I also tried this syrup with other drinks such as soft drinks,
cola, orange and root-beer, and a smoothie. All of them of
them were very good, indeed. Give it a try.
● I also added some to plain yogurt and some other foods and
they all tasted really good as well.
♦♦ Ingredients:
Cane Sugar, Water, Natural Vanilla Extract with Other Natural
Flavor, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (preservatives),
Citric Acid, Caramel Color.
✪ Pricing: $6.88 / 25.4 fl. oz.
● A very affordable price for it's size, especially when compared
to other brands that I've had before.
✪ SCORE: 5 Stars > ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
♦ ✪ ♦ Over-All:
● I most definitely liked the results that I got when using DaVinci
flavored syrup with my coffee, soft drinks (soda) and even food.
As affordable as it is I would recommend checking it out and see
what you can come up with. I would buy it again.
______________________________________________________________________>
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Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2026
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