I am feeling very happy here, in the Duke of Breeze Hotel. I somehow have managed to become part of the “duke” family. The owner and I had a date at the hospital on Friday where we both got checked for parasites; naturally I got myself an amoeba! Which meant the weekend was a write off and actually I think the antibiotic drugs they gave me were more evil than the amoeba itself. I have also begun to realise how painless a blood test is in England compared to here, either the width of the needle they used is definitely larger, or (like the American guy had told me) was more blunt… I almost let out a squeal.
I have started to realise that cycling to work everyday is pretty much a death wish, especially as I have to go up the main road where all the matatus (little minibuses) pull over and out without warning. You think being a cyclist going up Oxford Road and fighting the ridiculous amount of buses in Manchester is bad! What makes it worse is at least twice a journey, random people think it’s funny to jump out at me and try make me fall off my bike. I have looked for a helmet to buy, but of course no one knows the meaning of a helmet.
So coming back to my last blog of health and safety in the workshop… yesterday I witnessed a rather amazing scene, where by the welder left his welding machine and angle grinder (still plugged in) and went to get a drink down the track. Along came a toddler, who had watched the welder and decided he too wanted to try use the equipment. I didn’t know whether I should run over and stop this child who first picked up the angle grinder and then moved on to the arc welder. Strange thing was when the welder came back he didn’t seem the least bit concerned about the events that were taking place. Start them young hey? Another thing that made a little sad was that the toddler then watched the technician weld. Now this kid lives next door and daily must watch the technician weld and everyone knows you shouldn’t stare directly at the light when welding or you will eventually burn your eyes and go blind. So likelihood is that this kid will grow up to be the best welder ever but will have no sight.
Another occurrence which shocked me today was a man walking down the street, goading to his mates about what he was carrying. This was a dead cat with one of its legs tied to a bit of string. As he walked he swung this lifeless cat around for all to see and was shouting what I can only have translated into “it’s for cooking”. I wonder where the cat came from, how it died and whether he was going to eat it. And in England we all went crazy about the cat that got put in a wheelie bin….
I have also noticed there is some kind of bird of prey that sits on the corner of my hotel everyday, it’s huge, lucky it can fly away from the carnivorous Kenyans! It is so very beautiful and graceful and is here everyday like clockwork just before the sun is sets over Lake Victoria. It is like my sunset timer!
I am officially in a Country that is now at war with Al Shabaab Militants from Somalia. I thought Kenya would be one of the more peaceful African countries to start my journey! The threat of terrorist attacks on Kenya is now a very real one, as Al Shabaab have promised terrorist attacks in retaliation. The Chief of the military here has spent 35 yrs working in the military and never had to deal with a war, let’s hope he knows what he is doing! My only (slight) peace of mind is that I am only in the 3rd biggest city in Kenya. If anything does happen I am thinking Nairobi and Mombasa will be targeted first, and I do not intend to head East in that direction. If things get bad I know I can get a bus to the Ugandan border within about 3 hours and the newspaper is one of the first things I read everyday to make sure I am still safe here.
I fell over off the pavement this week… I don’t know how it happened, one minute I was talking to Cliff my friend and the next thing I am on the floor… with all the locals laughing and shouting, “Hahahah Muzungu!!!” I had to laugh at myself as I picked myself up off the floor with nasty fishguts and god knows all over my feet. The trousers that I had so kindly been given by Marco (from my trip in Central America) actually saved me knees; however my foot was another story. I hope after washing it very well that it won’t get infected.
This afternoon I have been painting a picture for the café that will hang my work on its walls. I haven’t painted in maybe nearly a year and I am on top of the world. I really get a thrill from painting, I love it! But as 4.30pm approached the skies got very, very dark, and I could no longer see. Then the heavens opened. I decided to brave it to the roof top bar, which was a complete wash out. I thought the other day the rain was bad, but no, today was immense!
Happy times! :)
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