A Side Note For those who want to know

January 4 -- A side note

Yesterday while we were in Kitale, a few things happened that I thought was funny and odd. Here we are walking down the sidewalk going to the Safricom store to get my phone activated and purchase air-time. OK, so here’s this American (me) walking down the sidewalk and trying to be considerate of others. Well guess what? I found out you don’t do that here. If you do, you’ll get nowhere fast. The Kenyan’s push and plow through the crowd. Then if you are in line somewhere the Kenyan’s have no concept of personal space. They stand right up against your back, so if you turn around you brush against them and believe me that’s not necessarily a good thing. This was explained to me by Isaac who drives Mary and myself around when we need to be driven to town. AND Isaac stays with us and carries the bags. He’s very sweet and when I ask him a question he always answers me and fills me in on what I need to know. 

After we finished with my phone, Alice and I waited out in front of the store for Isaac to bring the car. So we are standing there and Alice knows everybody in town I swear, so we say hello and happy new year to many. Then this elderly man comes up and wants to shake my hand and wish me a happy new year. Then he starts talking, but he’s talking in Swahili and I don’t understand a word he’s saying. Then he says to Alice and she translated for me, “I think I would like to marry this woman.” OK, now those who know me know that I’m not looking for a husband, so I immediately say NO NO and shake my head. Alice is just cracking up laughing at the whole situation. What made Alice laugh so much was the simple fact that this man was older, and he was obiviously drunk. All I can say is I’m glad Alice had a good laugh over this. It was kinda funny anyhoo.