What do you think of when you think of Africa? Poverty, hunger and diseases everywhere? That's what I used to think. I also thought everyone spoke English, few could write and close to nobody went to school. Plus I thought all the countries were more-or-less the same. Oh how wrong I was! And how wrong you are if that's what you think!
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| Fooooooood |
The people here are rich in ways we cannot understand, most are hungry at times, but that doesn't slow people down and as for the diseases, not as much as you'd think! I was honestly surprised because I was expecting people to be crawling in the gutters ridden with diseases and dying of hunger. Of course that's also true, don't get me wrong but the media exaggerates A LOT (surprise, surprise -.-). Surprisingly many go to school and not everyone speaks understandable English, most can write and a good portion can go to school. At least here in Kisumu.
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| Making ugali |
People here have a joie de vivre not found in us westerners. They are happy just to be alive and to get something to eat or drink and to have some sort of shelter from the elements, be it a house, shack or a tree. Yet, given that many of the people here have close to nothing material in their lives they have each other, the community. They have support from immediate family, extended family and neighbors. Everyone helps each other and find the energy to dance and sing together and to enjoy the company of everyone around them! For that I am jealous of Kenyans.
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The woman with the huge arse was at a
market we went to, similar to this one |
Big butts. That one is true. And boobs. Those are also true. They are HUGE. The first week we were here we saw a BIG butt that took up a garden chair and then some. like she would literally have taken up a double garden chair if that had been an option! I've never seen an arse that big, I swear! I wish I had a picture!
We were also told that people here were dangerous and armed. Armed robberies are common, a daily occurrence and thieves roam about. Okay, that last one is partially true but the rest are exaggerations! Sure, some are dangerous and armed, but I've not come across any in the three months I've been here and I doubt they are as common as we were led to believe before we came here. We were walking around shitting our pants the first few weeks, no kidding. We couldn't walk in a group without a local to show us around, we kept our handbags in a tight grip at all times and almost ran everywhere to avoid being robbed. Ridiculous. Sure, it's good to keep your things at hand but seriously, they are PEOPLE here, too! They are just like us, no different, not really. Common sense is allowed, recommended even. Fundamentally they work the same way we do, the culture is what makes them a little different from us. And not that much really, they just have a way harsher environment they grew up in.
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| The people living here are fairly well off |
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| Kids play with anything they find |
Imagine waking up in the street, again, never having set foot in a house, maybe having crashed at someone's home a few nights. no food to eat. Nothing to drink. Nowhere to clean yourself and no change of clothes. You don't know who your mum is, you've never seen your dad. I'd be a little resentful towards anyone wealthy-looking that came my way! I'm not saying they should behave like wild beasts but I sort of understand it. It's not their fault they were born into these circumstances. But then again it's not my fault I was born in Finland to a loving family and a warm, accepting environment. I've had rough times, too. Nothing like the street people here but still. I've never been rich and I may never be. I try to make the best of what I have. Okay, it's a given I have food to eat daily and I have never really been hungry. I've always had fresh water, clean clothes and a place to call home. It's such a different life to live and it's hard to explain or imagine if you've never seen it for your own eyes. It's indescribable.
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| These ears of corn are super yummy! |
Okay, back to my list of preconceptions and prejudices. Some people actually think all Africans live in mud huts and have toilets dug up in the ground. Partially that's true but it's more and more common to live in a house or an apartment and have plumbing and running water. They may not have a dishwasher or washing machine but they have help or the kids help out. Kenya's a lot more developed than I thought, to be honest. I didn't expect mud huts but I did expect a lot worse! I think we're lucky. Some of the others have stayed in way worse places than we have. I mean we have running water, internet and a bed each! All the luxuries you could want.
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Most want to touch a white person or
(like there people) take a picture with one |
I've touched on this subject in a vlog but here it is in writing: racism goes both ways. I wasn't expecting to get racist comments thrown at me or the hostility we've received from some. People pretending to shoot us, taking pictures and shouting "vanilla" and "mzungu" and the such (among others that I'd rather not have down in writing). I have to say, I now know what it's like to be the minority. It's not always nice. Here most people either ignore us or are excited to see or meet us. I've been hit on countless times, ring or no ring, they don't care. They just want to taste a mzungu or marry out get out of these living conditions. The men here are very charming (don't worry honey, I'm still all yours!) and know how to flatter you. The other day I was hit on four times. It sort of just rolls off you because it's such an everyday thing here. I have to admit, that's one thing that'll be strange to get used to! Plus not saying "Hi!" to every kid I go past. Here everyone wants to say hi! It feels very nice and welcoming coming from kids because they're sincere. They just want to say hi and know how I am. It's sweet. But now that I've been here three months I'm starting to get slightly annoyed by all the hello's I'm meant to be saying to everyone. It's tiring!
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| Getting some water for an old man |
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| Cows roan the streets |
White people are rich. Did you know that? I sure as hell didn't! But everyone here does. And it's so nice of them to remind me every day how rich I am. The thing they don't get is that I'm a student and I actually don't have very much money! At the moment I have ksh 1600 (about 15-16€) and less than 100€ on my bank account. I don't have much. I admit I have more than they do here, but I don't have any extra cash. I really don't. and I have to get this off my chest in writing! We payed for a PROFESSOR'S lunch today! He had no intention of paying and didn't make a move to even pay the meal when he wasn't even invited to the lunch, he just came. The nerve of him! but more on that in a day or two in the vlog. ;)
Even though I've loved being here I'm more than ready to go home next week! It's so soon yet so far away! I can't wait! <3
T
hat's my rant for now. Until next time!
