A little picture of paradise.
Call me crazy but riding in a matatu is really starting to grow on me. I especially like sitting in the very front beside the driver because it's like being on a roller coaster. You're scooting around traffic, pedestrians like no tomorrow. Here pedestrians do NOT have the right away! Honking is normal and expected! It means several things.
- Get out of my way!
- Here i am do you want a ride?
- What are you thinking? Look before you pull out!
- It's my turn!
- Watch out!
- Watch out, here i come!
So Frances and i had another day in Nairobi. On our way to our first interview there was a wonderful sprinkling of rain. So we jumped over puddles and dashed across wet roads. It was a glorious feeling.
I met with a woman from the Green Belt Movement. It was a wonderful time of sharing! Have you ever heard of Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai? She's a prominent Kenyan woman who won a Nobel Peace Prize for her "contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace," in Kenya. Anyhow i thought i'd add that in because Prof. Wangari is heavily associated with the Green Belt Movement. (That's really an understatement)
So during our travels today we walked through a meat market. Needless to say i lost my appetite after walking through there. Huge sides of beef hanging for all the flies to feast on. I once heard someone say, "if there are no flies buzzing around the meat, that's a good sign you don't want it either." As we walked through i saw dead animals every which way i looked including a decaying rat in a gutter. And i felt my skin glowing because it seemed like everyone was staring at me. If i said Habari the old ladies laughed. Do i say it wrong I wonder? One person wanted to shake my hand. I've never felt my skin color so much as i did then.
One last story. This blog is far too lengthy as it is. Bless those who have read this far.
On the ride home and i'm having a conversation with the matatu driver via Frances.
We talk about Kenya and if i like it here, etc. I ask if he likes his country. He say's he would love to go to North America, the paradise land. I say it's not all paradise. I talk about poverty, violence, other social problems that plague our country. He's surprised! I think his idea of paradise is maimed. oops.. It's like telling a kid Santa Claus is not real. This is where i smile and look out at the rolling hills and flowering trees. If only he knew paradise surrounds him.
- Get out of my way!
- Here i am do you want a ride?
- What are you thinking? Look before you pull out!
- It's my turn!
- Watch out!
- Watch out, here i come!
So Frances and i had another day in Nairobi. On our way to our first interview there was a wonderful sprinkling of rain. So we jumped over puddles and dashed across wet roads. It was a glorious feeling.
I met with a woman from the Green Belt Movement. It was a wonderful time of sharing! Have you ever heard of Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai? She's a prominent Kenyan woman who won a Nobel Peace Prize for her "contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace," in Kenya. Anyhow i thought i'd add that in because Prof. Wangari is heavily associated with the Green Belt Movement. (That's really an understatement)
So during our travels today we walked through a meat market. Needless to say i lost my appetite after walking through there. Huge sides of beef hanging for all the flies to feast on. I once heard someone say, "if there are no flies buzzing around the meat, that's a good sign you don't want it either." As we walked through i saw dead animals every which way i looked including a decaying rat in a gutter. And i felt my skin glowing because it seemed like everyone was staring at me. If i said Habari the old ladies laughed. Do i say it wrong I wonder? One person wanted to shake my hand. I've never felt my skin color so much as i did then.
One last story. This blog is far too lengthy as it is. Bless those who have read this far.
On the ride home and i'm having a conversation with the matatu driver via Frances.
We talk about Kenya and if i like it here, etc. I ask if he likes his country. He say's he would love to go to North America, the paradise land. I say it's not all paradise. I talk about poverty, violence, other social problems that plague our country. He's surprised! I think his idea of paradise is maimed. oops.. It's like telling a kid Santa Claus is not real. This is where i smile and look out at the rolling hills and flowering trees. If only he knew paradise surrounds him.
posted by Sarah at 8:18 PM
5 Comments:
Sarah! So good to read about your experiences in Kenya, i feel like i can get a picture of what it is like there, your blogs are so animated it's like you're talking! Anyways, have a wonderful day :)
Habari Sarah!
I think they laugh because it is delightful that a foreigner would use their first language, their love language.
Don't be discouraged. Keep reaching out.
Thanks for writing.
Love always.
hey sarah!
I don't know how many times I have had that same conversations with taxi/CNG drivers here. Crazy. Its strange to get used to the exotic-ness of transportation in these places, eh?
Hey Sarah, great blog as usual. The Queen is making her presence felt in Kenya! Keep strong babe.
that makes me want to cry. from both happiness and sadness. I love you, sis.
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