The journey back - Safari ya kurudi nyuma

 The journey back - Safari ya kurudi nyuma

Nairobi was quite nice. It was pleasantly warm, I didn't need a jacket, that was pleasant. The hotel was also quite nice, the people friendly. Most importantly, the beer was ice cold! Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere. Unfortunately, it turns out quite differently. Well, sometimes I'm sitting in a bar. The waitress comes and asks what I'd like. "A beer please."

"Cold?"

"No. Lactose free."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Who started it?"

It can be like that. You just have to know how to help yourself.

The food was quite good too. I was in a Turkish restaurant. It wasn't quite as Turkish as I would have liked, but it was edible. There wasn't much to choose from, but I didn't have to wait long for that. Now I also have to write what I ate: Shawarma. What is shawarma? Definitely one of my favorite foods!

Shawarma is a little piece of heaven right here on earth. Shawarma is a lot like a gyro, kind of like a taco, but so different in many ways.

Shawarma is thinly sliced ​​cuts of meat, like chicken, beef, goat, lamb, and sometimes turkey rolled into a large piece of flatbread or pita that has been steamed or heated.

Inside the pita, foods like hummus, tahini, pickles, vegetables, and even french fries are added. Think of shawarma as a Middle Eastern-style taco or burrito.

How is shawarma prepared?

Raw meat is placed on large, rotating cones. As it rotates, the meat is cooked by a heat source that is located behind the actual cone.

The meat falls off or is thinly slowly sliced ​​by a chef with a large knife. It can take several hours to fully cook.

Shawarma is often served with fries, salads like tabouleh, falafel, and just by itself for a quick bite on the go. In some places, it is served alone, without pita or flatbread.

How to make Shawarma at home? Could be someone interested.

It's really hard to duplicate the taste of authentic shawarma without a tower. You can come very close, but there is still that "something" that is missing!

When buying your meat, try to get chicken. Dark meat (thigh meat) is the best for shawarma, but white meat will work, too. Ask your butcher or supermarket meat department to slice it very thinly. Ideally, the meat will be thinner than cutlets. (the spruce eats, make shawarma at home).

Let's leave that, I'm already feeling hungry, my stomach is growling as if it were angry with me.

Whenever I go to a restaurant, people always give me strange looks. I'm thin and tall. This conversation usually happens.

A fat man says to me, "Man, looking at you like that, you'd think there was a famine!"

To which I: "And when one sees you like this, one could think that it was your fault!"

That's right!

It's very different at my house. Should anyone be surprised that I write so much about my favorite food.

"Honey what's for dinner?"

"Nothing!"

"That was yesterday!"

"I also cooked for two days!"

That's how I feel! And that's no laughing matter!

I wasn't in Nairobi for long, only two days. I drove back early in the morning. It was about time. It rained during the night, the streets were wet, water-based paint, sometimes a small lake on the streets.

The Matatu driver knows me, at least he says so. I don't know him, I only look at beautiful women, men don't interest me! That should already be known.

Otherwise there is nothing special to report. The trip back was uneventful. Maybe one more thing that fascinates me again and again. The daily traffic jam on the highway towards Nairobi. I was just glad to be on the right page.

When I come home much too late, my wife asks me: "Where have you been for so long?"

"In traffic."

"Couldn't you overtake?"

"No, I was the foremost."

Kenyan ladies! What more do I need to despair? Thank you I have everything! And that's enough.

Nairobi again

 And again and again Nairobi - Na tena na tena Nairobi

Once again I am going to Nairobi. Actually nothing new, nevertheless I would like to tell something about my trip. There is always something to tell when I make a trip.

Quite early in the morning I go to the bus station. A bus is just leaving, the conductor sees me, the bus stops. A seat is still free, at the very back, in the last row. It is a small bus, that must be emphasized here. We leave. After a short time, the bus stops and someone else gets on. The passenger squeezes into a seat, the bench has only 3 seats, now they sit there 4. We drive on. Not long, the bus stops again, someone else gets on. It's getting damn cramped in the bus! We drive on. And again the bus stops. A young woman, a girl gets on. Where is there still room? The conductor says, in the last row, with me. She squeezes through, which is not so easy. First, I slide a little to the side. The person next to me also slides a little to the side. She has a nice, sweet face, I can see that, it's the first thing she holds out to me. She must be tall too, because she has to bend over a lot. Then she has to turn around, which is not easy at all in this small vehicle that is so densely loaded. Her face eludes my eyes, but she holds her ass right in front of my nose. What else can I tell you? I love driving the Matatu! At my age, such a young lady, never ever would she do that anywhere else, especially not for me! Long live the matatu! She wags her ass back and forth! It is not easy to sit down. Finally she makes it. I'm getting all hot. We drive on. A little fresh air is good! I'm sweating, the conductor has a wool cap on, I look closer, no, he's not sweating. I do! That's the sun shining on the matatu, what else? We are so packed that we have no stop until we reach the station.

When father and son return from home, the boy tells his mother, "Mom, Mom, when I was riding home on the bus with Dad, he told me to give my seat to a strange woman." 

The mother praises, "Yes, that's right, too!" 

The son is irritated: "But Mom, I was sitting on Dad's lap!"

Too bad I don't have a son, I would have done the same.

Are you free? Answer, answer

or are you locked up waiting for me

Are you free? Answer, answer

or do you fight to hold the key

but when no one's praying for you

I am out looking for escapes

or ways

away

I have to change the bus. I get on a completely empty bus. I wait. Apparently I am the first. Coincidence or not. I wait. It will take a long time until the bus is full, I think to myself. After a few minutes the driver comes, gets in, starts the engine. I wonder, I am still alone. Instead of driving forward, he drives backwards. He is obviously trying to find a parking space, the bus was on the street after all. He squeezes past other matatus. It is getting tight. He drives further and further into the thicket of buses. He turns off the engine, gets out, walks away. I sit in a bus, in the last row, somewhere, on a free parking lot, all alone, abandoned and lost. Finally, someone comes along and says, "Get off, the bus isn't moving, someone else is!"

Somehow I feel like I'm being taken for a ride. 

I might as well ask the bus driver, "Could you maybe tell me the fastest way to get to the cemetery from here?" 

"Of course, just stand in front of my bus!"

I change buses. After ten minutes it is full, we leave.

Nairobi here I come!

Waiting, whining, lying, crying, trying, flying, dying

no no. stop, stop, stop

We're waiting, I'm whining, they're lying, you're crying,

no no. stop, stop, stop

Almost trying, always flying, never never dying

I can hear you

Just scream louder

I can hear you

a little closer

fight your way

Fight the step that's blocking you

"Oh, hello, am I on the police force?"

"No. I'm with the police. They're out there somewhere on the phone."

Sad but true.

What upsets me in Kenya is that I have to re-register my sim card. This is an unnecessary procedure! Costs only time, brings nothing! So, it is quite simple, you would think, but this is Kenya and everything is complicated in Kenya. I have an Aim card, registered of course, some time ago. Now I got a new ID, the old one expired. I went to the provider, explained it to him, was no problem, my ID was changed. Now comes the hammer! Now everyone has to register again. As already mentioned, completely unnecessary and pointless. Long live the Minister of Communications! Now everyone knows that he exists, that should also be the reason for this arrangement. I go back, new registration.

"You registered your card with a different ID?"

"Yes."

"Do you have it with you?"

I have it with me, I hand it to him. He types around, hands me back both my IDs.

"Done, it's done!"

I leave.

I dial this code a day later, where I can check to see if everything matches. What a miracle. Long live Kenya!

"You have not registered with your original ID, " and so on. I investigate. It is quite simple, Kenya does not accept my ID! I still have time, I don't want to go to an office again, wait in line again, wait again. Unnecessary. I simply have this sim card blocked. It costs me nothing, especially no time.

The biggest advantage of the cordless phone is: The minister of communication can only make calls as long as the battery lasts. Maybe that will help him! I can only hope so.

We're waiting, I'm whining, they're lying, you're crying,

no no. stop, stop, stop

Almost trying, always flying, never never never dying

Are you free? Answer, answer

or are you locked up waiting for me

Are you free? Answer, answer

Cheat me down now

Cheat me down now

Economy In Kenya

 Economy in Kenya

"Give advice; if people don't listen let adversity teach them." (Ethiopian proverb)

Now I've been in Kenya for so long and until now I've given little thought to Kenya's economy. But I should.

How exactly the economy works in a country, which rules apply to it, is determined by the respective economic system.

When people work, they usually create something. They build cars, machines, houses, they sew clothes, bake bread, plant grain or grow fruit. All areas in which people produce something are called the economy. Services are also part of the economy. These are all activities where people work, but nothing is directly manufactured. This includes trade, transport, banks, insurance companies, administration, the police and much more. A country's economy must ensure that people get the goods and services they need and want.

"Kenya is the economic hub in the East African Community (EAC) and for most German companies it is the entry point into the East Africa region. In recent years we have seen a significant increase in interest from Germany in having a local presence. Not surprising, because East Africa is the most important growth region on the continent. Kenya offers extensive economic freedom when it comes to entrepreneurial commitments. This is to be expected in the long term, because Kenya is committed to liberal economic policies."

Maren Diale-Schellschmidt Delegate of German Business for East Africa

"...Kenya offers extensive economic freedom..." and this sentence is exactly the problem. We'll get into that in more detail later. Employee rights, union are foreign words here. Corruption in the post-colonial government of Kenya has a history that stretches from the founding president's era to Jomo Kenyatta, to Daniel arap Moi's KANU, Mwai Kibaki's PNU government and the current Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party government. In the 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index, Kenya ranks 139th out of 176 countries for corruption, tied with Azerbaijan, Nepal, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Brisk construction activity, massive investments in public infrastructure and a growing middle class have long been significant for the dynamics of development, which according to many observers shows the resilience of the Kenyan economy. A major step forward was the opening of the first new railway line in 100 years: the Madaraka Express between Mombasa and Nairobi. A $3.2 billion project funded and built by Chinese investors that will cut Mombasa – Nairobi travel time from around 12-16 hours to 4.5 hours.

Kenya is the ninth largest economy in Africa. In the 2018 Doing Business Index, it was already ranked 80th out of 190 countries compared, ahead of South Africa (82), a good place in the region and also in the overall African comparison, where Rwanda ranks 41st, but Tanzania and Uganda 40th perform worse up to 60 places in the ranking. In the following year, Kenya climbs to 61st place in the DBI 2019 and the following year to 56th place, which shows a trend towards policies geared to the needs of the economy. However, the index was temporarily suspended in August 2020 after criticism. From the point of view of the Bertelsmann Transformation Index 2020 (BTI), however, the transformation of the economy can only be regarded as very limited, ranking 71st among 137 countries compared.

In general, the economy and the survival of the masses in Kenya are based on agriculture, which with flowers, vegetables (beans, snow peas, baby corn), tea and coffee contributes to a quarter of GDP and employs around two thirds of the population. The economy has to struggle with the typical problems of an African country: population pressure, corruption and climatic adversities are combined with structural disadvantages in world trade, unpredictable price fluctuations and the labor market's insufficient ability to absorb.

Let's get straight to the most important thing, wages and salaries.

In Kenya, an estimated 5.3 percent of the population is in regular employment. As in many other African countries, companies and numerous headhunters compete for a few highly qualified workers who can choose their employer. Taking out pension and health insurance is not compulsory. Nevertheless, a good pension plan and additional medical benefits are important in order to recruit and retain good employees. Workers' rights and the work of trade unions are restricted in Kenya. And that's an important note.

Here are some wages paid in Kenya.

Average salary Kenya= 138€

Minimum wage Kenya= 308.46€

Salary of an accountant in Kenya= 337.31€

Salary of an Architect Kenya= 402.28€

Salary of a babysitter Kenya= 131.72€

Salary of a waiter in Kenya= 195.80€

Salary of a bricklayer Kenya= 226.06€

Salary of a Dentist Kenya= 983.45€

Here are some prices of groceries in the supermarket.

A loaf (250 g)= 0.235€

A dozen eggs= 1.51€

A kilo of chicken wings = 5.79€

A kilo of apples= 2.37€

A liter of milk= 0.83€

A kilo of local cheese= 4.23€

A kilo of salad = 0.84€

A kilo of onions= 1.01€

A kilo of potatoes= 1.3€

1 kg of tomatoes= 1.09€

1 kg of oranges= 1.31€

1kg bananas= 0.98€

And the food in the restaurant costs:

Eat for one person in a cheap restaurant= 3.93€

Meal for two in a good restaurant= 22.46€

A meal in McDonalds= 6.11€

Milk coffee in a café= 2.19€

A can of Coca Cola or Pepsi (0.33l)= 0.47€

Water bottle (0.33l)= 0.42€

The qualification of young professionals, which is based on the needs of the Kenyan economy, is one of the great challenges of the country.

The strengths of Kenya are:

Largest and most diversified economy on the continent;

Large domestic market with 55 million people (annually increasing by about 1.2 million);

Nairobi and Mombasa as regional hubs

Kenya Airways flies to many destinations in Africa.

The weaknesses in Kenya are:

Currently moderate economic climate (pandemic)

Poor investment conditions in many areas

Financing problems: the private sector lacks capital and the state is heavily indebted

The opportunities in Kenya are:

Presidential election in 2022 affects the ability to plan investments;

risk of payment delays in dealings with the government;

crime, terrorism and political unrest,

The economy is growing, there is a middle class, and the state is investing in infrastructure. But despite the dynamism, a large part of the population continues to live in poverty.

Estimated GDP

approx. US$ 95.5 billion (World Bank, 2019)

Per capita income (adjusted for purchasing power) US$ 1750 (World Bank, 2019)

Human Development Ranking (HDI) Rank 147 out of 189 in 2018. (2016: 143, 2017: 142)

Income distribution (Gini coefficient) 40.8 (HDR 2018. 2017:48.5)

Population below poverty line $1.9 36.8% (HDR 2018)

Economic Transformation (BTI 2020) Rank 71 out of 137 (2018: 72)

There are other problems in Kenya. The water is one of them. Water is life! Everyone needs to drink daily to survive. But over a billion people around the world - a large proportion of them live in Africa - do not have access to clean drinking water. In Kenya, too, there is a lack of access to clean drinking water.

With a population of 53 million, 15 percent of Kenyans rely on unimproved water sources, such as ponds, shallow wells and rivers, while 41 percent of Kenyans lack access to basic sanitation solutions. These challenges are especially evident in rural areas and urban slums where people are often unable to connect to piped water infrastructure.

According to the WHO / UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) for water and sanitation in 2008, only 12% of all households in rural Kenya had a water connection.

In rural Kenya, the average total coping costs for an unreliable or distant water supply are approximately $38 per month. In comparison, the average water bill of a typical household in Nairobi that is connected to a piped system is only $4.46 per month. This comparison highlights the economic burdens that often fall more heavily on unconnected rural customers than on households with piped connections. However, there are many areas where piped water connections do not produce a reliable, constant flow of water. Thus, solutions like borehole wells and rainwater harvesting tanks are also needed in urban and peri-urban areas.

As a result, people often have to walk long distances to the nearest water point or are forced to drink water that is dirty and contaminated with germs. Children in particular then suffer from diseases caused by dirty water, such as cholera, typhus and diarrhea. Water scarcity is also exacerbated by droughts, climate change and political instability.

Another problem in Kenya is corruption. The "Corruption Perceptions Index" for the public sector showed 70 points in Kenya for 2021. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, with the higher the value, the greater the corruption. Kenya ranks 134th. The result is therefore significantly below average compared to other countries. There was a slight increase in corruption in 2021 compared to the previous year. In the long term, however, it has fallen moderately in recent years. Germany is in 10th place with a value of 20. Incidentally, the ranking is led by New Zealand with a value of 12. The sad last place is occupied by South Sudan (89 points).

The "Corruption Perceptions Index" showed 26 points in Austria for 2021. Austria thus occupies 13th place. The result is therefore above average compared to other countries. There was a slight increase in corruption in 2021 compared to the previous year. From a long-term perspective, it has also risen moderately in recent years.

Most bribes paid by urban residents in Kenya are fairly small, but large ones are also taken – bribes worth over 50,000 Kenyan shillings (€600, US$450) account for 41% of the total. There is also corruption on a larger scale, with each of the latter two regimes being criticized for their involvement.

Despite market reforms, several business surveys show that corporate corruption is still rampant and companies in Kenya often ask for bribes and informal payments to 'get things done' - a trend that has contributed to higher costs of doing business in Kenya. The public procurement sector in Kenya suffers from widespread corruption and is the leading form of manipulation in the public service and always at the center of all major corruption scandals. The use of agents to facilitate business and transactions in Kenya is widespread and poses a risk to companies, particularly at the market entry and start-up stage. It is observed

Health care in Kenya. In recent years, the country's healthcare system has improved, but there are still a number of issues to consider for healthcare in Kenya. The Kenyan health system can be divided into three categories. Public providers, private non-profit organizations (including faith-based and missionary hospitals, as well as local and international NGOs), and private, for-profit healthcare providers. Government-funded basic public health care is provided in primary health centers and pharmacies. The state pharmaceutical chain KEMSA supplies the state pharmacies with medicines and medical supplies. The public health centers provide free services for simple illnesses such as cold and flu, uncomplicated cases of malaria and minor skin diseases. Patients with medical conditions that cannot be treated by nurses are referred to clinics and hospitals.

The private healthcare sector in Kenya has gained in importance in recent years. Private clinics of varying standards can be found in most major towns, including coastal resorts such as Diani and Malindi. There are private hospitals mainly in Nairobi, with a few also in Mombasa. The private AGA Khan University Hospital in Nairobi offers a high level of care and is very popular with expats. However, expats should be aware that private healthcare in Kenya can be costly without comprehensive medical insurance.

The Kenyan healthcare system is struggling with issues of substandard and counterfeit medicines. In big cities there are a lot of small roadside pharmacies. Although these are cheaper than large chains that are affiliated with renowned hospitals, they also have more problems with counterfeit medicines. In addition, their staff may not be trained or qualified enough to provide sound medical advice. Most prescription drugs should be available in Kenya.

https://www.africa-business-guide.de/de/maerkte/kenya

https://lebenshaltungkostenin.com/preise-und-lohne-in-kenya-land/

http://www.keniatours.org

Global Nature Fund, drinking water filters in Kenya

Water.org, Kenya

Corruption in Kenya, Länderdaten.info

Corruption in Kenya, Watch Crime and Justice

Healthcare in Kenya, Allianz Care

What is economy, bpi

There is no hurry in Africa

 There is no rush in Africa - Hakuna haraka barani Africa

"Your dog is scary, where did you get it from?"

"It happened to me on vacation in Africa. I just cut off its mane!"

That's roughly how a European imagines Africa. A European has a hard time in Africa, things are different here than at home.

Woah, uh, you like my back wood when I got up, yeah yeah

Like a kickback

Though that shit crack it ain't shot up, yeah yeah

You like tacos on a drunk night

You a club night without a dumb fight

You like Roscoe's on a next day

Skipping all the traffic knowing the best way

That's why I...

I would like to tell you about a restaurant visit that has it all and not only for Europeans.

We celebrate, or rather, we want to celebrate. We, that is a group of 14 people. One of this group says he knows a good restaurant. I don't know who that was, it doesn't matter either. This restaurant is a bit far, we have to go by cars. Luckily people have big cars in which we have room for 14 people.

The restaurant is a bit out of town. There are several buildings, quite large. It's big. We're going to the facility. Nobody wants to sit in the restaurant, it's muggy and pleasantly warm. We find a place under a sun or rain roof. Waitresses run up, tables, benches and chairs are put together. We sit quite comfortably. The drink is ordered.

"She asks you what you want to drink!," the divine explains to me.

"A cold beer!" I say.

"Yesterday we said no more beer!"

"It's good, water!" That was a great overcoming for me, but what should I do, what the divine says is law.

"For real?"

"Yes."

"Well, a cold beer for him!"

What a surprise!

The drinks come, another waitress comes, takes the order to eat.

People talk. Some are banging away on their smartphones. I also. The divine too. One takes pictures.

I am thinking. "Moja baridi bia" it could be or "moja bia baridi." I do not know. I should have said: "Ninaomba kinywaji (I would like to have a drink.)"

"Ninapenda bia baridi (I love a cold beer)."

We ordered french fries with chicken. It takes time. We are waiting. I think to myself: "mpishi anapika (The chef is cooking)."

We are waiting.

There is no hurry in Africa.

I finish my beer. It has gotten warm.

We are waiting.

People are getting nervous. You ask the waitress. She runs into the kitchen, I assumed that, I don't know. After a few minutes, several plates of French fries arrive. Those lucky enough to have a plate in front of them begin to eat. No sign of the chicken. lost?

We've finished the fries, here comes the chicken. Everyone gets a piece. Half the people still don't have fries.

Excitement!

We came at 12:30pm and now it's 3pm! What's taking so long?

Mpishi anapika! I hope. Another half hour goes by and people can no longer be held. We go.

One asks for the bill. She doesn't come either. We go to the cars. A waitress follows us. It is paid.

We're leaving.

There is no rush in Africa!

In the evening I sit

And my thoughts they turn to you

In the evening I think of my home

And I need you to remember

All the love we used to know

Think of me sometimes

My love

Here is a slightly different report from Judith Hecht.

The people in the long queues outside the four immigration desks at the airport are getting impatient. An hour after arrival, still no one has received their visa. All switches are occupied. A particularly impatient person asks in a brisk tone and waving his banknotes when things will finally go on: "There is no rush in Africa," an airport employee replies with a disarming smile. Another hour later, each of us holds the necessary visa in our hands. It pays to be informed. During the following days we often remember that nobody here is in a hurry and nobody wants to be in a hurry. And that's a good thing.

Nakuru

Nakuru - The eye never forgets what the heart has seen (African Proverb)

Nakuru is always worth a trip. It's true, I've always been blown away by the Rift Valley. This sight is majestic. But one after the other.

Kericho. We're still here. In the night we had undertaken a small city tour. The "new" man's dad was kind enough to show us something. It's now after breakfast, around 9:30 a.m., and the sun is shining. Dad takes us to the bus station, but before he goes there he does a city tour. This time we can see more. As already mentioned, Kericho is a small town, but well equipped. There's Kisii University, Mount Kenya University and a third university I've never heard of, I mustn't forget the Institute of Tea Research, which is on the outskirts of town where the tea fields end. There is also a hospital. It's quite a cute city, you could really fall in love with this little town..

i'm right where i wanna be

it feels good to be single and free

go shopping and spend some g's

Got no girlfriend stressing me

At 10 a.m. we are at the bus station. There is little fuel in Kenya these days. The divine goes to the office to get a ticket. She comes running out, dismayed.

"Now they charge 1000 Kshs to Nakuru. When we went from Nairobi to Kericho we paid about half that!"

"This is insane!," I can only agree.

Excited, she goes back to the office, speaks her language, the ticket seller listens and says nothing. The Divine is upset, which is understandable, at least for me. When she finally has to catch her breath, the ticket seller speaks up.

"I understand everything you said, I'm from the area too. Fine, I'll sell you the ticket for 500 Kshs!"

The Divine agrees with that and so do I. It's still expensive because it's not even half the distance we have to travel. We also know that many vehicles are queuing at gas stations to get fuel. This is a situation that has brought the country to a virtual standstill.

"When is the bus coming?" we ask.

"In about 15 minutes!"

We are waiting. Not much else is left. The bus is supposed to come at 10 a.m., now it is 10:15 a.m. and still no bus. We ask again, we get the same answer. And he really comes, at 10:30. 3 buses are coming. Which one is ours?

"Get on the 2nd bus!" we are told.

So let's get in. As everyone knows, the seats on the bus are reserved. Only our seats are occupied! We ask around, yes it's true, there are people sitting there right from the start!

"Are we on the right bus?" I ask.

There is still room in the last row. I sit down. The divine jumps out and asks. The ticket seller says if there is a seat on the bus, stay there. And that's how we do it.

The bus leaves and my eyes close. In Nakuru I wake up again.

I just blast off with my bitch

With a bottle of henny we gettin' real tipsy

I just been hustling I run the marathon

You know it's rest in piece nipsy

Many men hate me like 50

I'm sorry baby no kissing

I know you think you know me but you never did my nigga, fuck is you drinking?

We rented a small apartment in Nakuru. It's not as expensive as a hotel. The apartment is not far from the roundabout that one has to go through when coming from Nairobi.

Nakuru is the capital of Nakuru County in Kenya, was founded in 1904 and is the third largest city in the country with 570,674 inhabitants. Nakuru is located at an altitude of about 1860 meters above sea level on Lake Nakuru in the eastern part of the East African Rift Valley, also called "Rift Valley". (Wikipedia)

We post to get a taxi. My phone can't handle this application, I need the phone of the divine! The application does not open! No taxi! We later learn that this Wasiri application has been shut down pending fuel supply problems. There is a tuktuk, we ask. He asks 250 Kshs, that's too much for the divine. With our luggage it is hardly possible to drive a Bodaboda. We don't know where the apartment is yet, we have to look for it first. We get in, drive off.

After half an hour we reach the house, a woman has the key, she is already waiting for us. We settle in. We won't stay long, it's not that important.

"Are you here to visit?" the woman asks.

"No, for a haircut!" I reply.

She goes, leaves us alone.

Watch me flex flex flex this goyard

Member having F's on my report card

I was mixing Karo with the wokhardt

Now I'm pulling up I'm in a 2 door

In the evening we have a cozy get-together in a hotel. Some people have come, some are not really fit, they drank too much yesterday, are suffering from a hangover. What should it? Did you know that Kenyans are the nicest people in the world? They always come with 10 people and ask you: "Do you have a problem?" But where! Being together is pleasant. My Divine says: "Here in the hotel they also have a swimming pool, would you like to see it?"

"Maybe later."

"You want to see him now!"

I have to see the swimming pool. It's night, lamps illuminate the pool that's on the roof. I can see the city lights. Looks beautiful.

Back at the table I want to drink my cold beer.

"The beer is too cold!," states my divine.

It does not bother me. I drink. I drink, as is proper, from the bottle. I can't stand these glasses! toothbrush glasses! And the ones for drinking beer! Impossible!

"Don't drink so fast!," my divine can do today.

The food comes. It tastes good, is little, costs a lot. I have to think, why is the food so expensive? Even what is left out must be paid for. Clearly!

The waitress clears up. "How did you find our chicken?"

"Only by accident!"

The chicken camouflaged itself very well, I could hardly see it. Basically it was quite pleasant.

We're being driven home, that's quite pleasant. I am very tired.

Sunday morning I rise

And I stand to face a new dawn

Sunday morning a new day is born

What else can I tell about Nauru? Not much anymore. Nairobi is 1660m above sea level, Nakuru 1850m. It's a pleasant city, I could imagine living there. Comfortable climatic conditions.

After breakfast we go to the city, to the hotel where we stayed yesterday. I want and I need to relax. We are alone at the pool, nobody there. I can't stand it for long, I have to go into the water. And the water is freezing! It bothers me, but it can't stop me. The stairs into the water is broken, the last step is loose. But the water is gorgeous! Even if it's cold. I can really enjoy it. I can't stand it long in this cold water, I have to get out! What should it? The sun shines warmly down on me. I sit in the sun, stretch out. It is pleasant. We order a beer, what else, and a sandwich. It's so pleasant on this roof that I soon fall asleep, but it's not that easy.

"Are you sleeping?" asks the Divine.

Not any longer longer. "No."

"Go back to sleep!"

How could I? From the roof I have a wonderful view over the city and to the lake.

"Didn't you see the lake yesterday?" the divine asks me.

"How could I, it was dark, I only saw lights."

I fall asleep again. It won't be long before I'm brought back to reality.

"Are you tired?"

"Yes!"

This is getting on my nerves!

Such a long way to go

And so little time to get there

Such a long way to go

But I want you to remember

All the love we used to know

Think of me sometimes

My love.

Next morning we drive back, which won't be easy. It's Sunday, the buses are waiting for passengers. It's 8 o'clock, 3 people are sitting in the bus, they should be sitting, because 2 have reserved their seats, have left. We get on the bus. Waiting. It takes, it takes, it takes... Somehow this gets on my nerves. Surely everyone can understand. Here in Kenya it's going in the right direction: For me it's just a small step on the brakes. For many, it's a big step forward. That's how you can see it. I get upset. Naturally. To the Divine I say, "We've been waiting for so long, let's screw the bus driver! We paid, let's take another bus."

The Divine rolls her eyes. We stay seated and keep waiting. The bus only fills up after 11 a.m. Finally we can leave.

Morning morning, sad day

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

Morning morning, sad day

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

Kericho

Graduation In Kericho

"My philosophy is that as soon as I leave my room, I'm ready to love everyone I meet, unless they're evil," said Omar Sharif.

I'm dead tired, the flight was terrible. I'm on the run There are many stupid people in Austria. Luckily they all go to Germany. Well, before I left, I told my wife that now that she's alone, she only needs to heat one. I'm gone. The plane full I thought I'm an anchovy in a tin can. Somehow I'm trying to make it through the hours. It was not easy. Sleep was out of the question, at best close your eyes, breathe easy, let yourself go and help this torture to be over soon. I arrived in such a state.

I was looking forward to a shower and a large bed. Anyone can believe that. The weather is warm, the sun is shining, I'm dressed too warm. It was cold for us, it had snowed. The divine is here, she has been waiting for me. That's nice. We greet each other, what else! She asks me: "What do you call an intelligent person in Austria?"

"I dont know!"

She replies: "Tourist."

"That's rubbish!"

I have to get excited.

We get in a taxi and drive off. We're going into town, don't know exactly where to go, the divine wants to try another hotel and by the way she tells me that we're going to Kericho tomorrow morning, because there's a graduation party there. The bed disappears far away. The rest too! After some searching we find a decent hotel. The restaurant is good, the beer is ice cold, what more could I ask for. The Divine is eating, I can't eat, my stomach is in a knot. Finally we go to sleep, she is so tired because she drove the Matatu for 3 hours. I'm on the road for 24 hours now, she says I don't mind. Somehow I feel like my underpants. If my underpants meet other underpants, then they will surely ask: "Wow, you are beautifully tanned.

i'm right where i wanna be

it feels good to be single and free

go shopping and spend some some g's

Got no girlfriend stressing me

Next morning we drive to Kericho. I can't tell much about the trip, as soon as I sat down in my chair I fell asleep. The trip should have been quite pleasant, I didn't notice anything special. The only thing I remember is a beautiful woman. Of course I look where all men look.

Most men look at women's butts and think, "Oh, that's an ass!" The women, on the other hand, think exactly the same thing, only they look at the face. I don't say anything, the Divine would hit me.

Here is a small overview of Kericho. Kericho is the capital of Kericho County in Kenya. The city is the center of the country's most important tea-growing region. The city is 80 kilometers southeast of Kisumu. Kericho is home to the Kipsigis, who belong to the Kalendjin people. (Wikipedia) The city has about 45,000 inhabitants.

I feel like in India, tea everywhere. Nothing but tea for miles. The climate is just wonderful!

Everything is organized, the hotel reserved. A Christian hotel, that's a pity, no beer in the whole hotel. The pastors are not averse to a glass of good wine, apparently they don't want beer in Kenya. They sure know why. They prefer to drink wine. Well, that's the way it should be.

We go to a mall, there's a bar there. We eat something, drink cold beer! What a life! We return to the hotel very relaxed. The room is quite nice. I look forward to a deep sleep. Nothing will come of it. After the shower, which is necessary, the faucet no longer closes, the water drips all night. I can't close my eyes! What a night! I get up, exhausted.

Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast, the celebration begins.

i aia'nt trying to meet karma

I got no stress no baby momma drama

Bad relationships will leave a man scorn

got no girl he's in his room watching porn

Our way leads us to the church. It's not far away, about 5 minutes walk. I'm going too, although I said before that I won't because I never go to church. As many already know, or at least have guessed, I am not a friend of the church.

The police question a churchgoer: "Do you admit that you just went to church?"

"Yes."

"Do you also admit that you kissed the feet of Jesus Christ on the cross?"

"Yes."

"Would you kiss our President's feet too?"

"Sure if he was hanging there!"

I would certainly do that too, only the guy isn't hanging there.

Lots of people, some going to church, others standing, like me, waiting in the street. Cars drive up, people get out, the cars drive on. Vendors try to attract customers by selling brightly colored glittering garlands. I still don't know what that's good for.

We are waiting. I was told the party would start at 10am. But this is Kenya, the clocks tick differently there. I expected that too. The boys arrive with some delay, now they are men! All in uniform, one after the other. The street is full of people, all the men's relatives rush up to them, cuff these colorful garlands over their heads. Everyone goes to church, the celebration has begun.

Why circumcision? Why is this necessary? We, in Europe, don't do that. There are a few explanations for this.

Bacteria can build up in uncircumcised men, which can lead to infections in the urinary tract and cause serious complications. That's a simple medical explanation, there are others.

Muslims practice this religious tradition as a Sunnah. That is, with the circumcision they follow the prophet Mohammed. He recommended male circumcision to Muslims. However, there is no fixed age requirement in Islam for when this procedure should take place.

After all, circumcision is recommended to Muslims in the Koran, their 'holy scripture'. It goes back to Ibrahim, i.e. Jewish Abraham. In the Islamic tradition, he is one of the most important prophets and forerunners of Mohammed.

The circumcision of boys without medical necessity is rejected in Europe, with reference to the

Children's right to bodily integrity, both boys and girls.

Before the “white men” came to Kenya, there was no Christmas. In Africa, children are traditionally initiated into their respective tribes. This is done through circumcision. Most tribes that circumcise boys also circumcise their girls. Schools in Kenya are closed. This is the time when teenagers enter the adult world. Before they are accepted into the male world, they must undergo an initiation ritual - the traditional painful rite of circumcision. During the ritual, the boys cannot show that they are in pain, only in this way do they become real men. Initiation ceremonies usually last from October to December. you are important as they signify a child's acceptance in the tribe and his or her place in the adult community within the tribe. Some tribes perform a series of initiation rites as early as age 5 or 6, and then another series when the child is in their teens. Boys to be circumcised generally go through a ceremony before being circumcised. Depending on the strain, this can take one to several days. Personally, I was woken up early one morning by boys running around the village singing songs. This is part of their circumcision rituals. Many boys are usually circumcised at the same time. During circumcision, boys are encouraged not to scream or flinch to show they really are men. Some tribes would have their tribesmen point javelins at the boy being circumcised as a threat not to flinch or scream. The boy was also told that if he showed any sign of pain, he would be killed. They thought that if a boy showed pain, he wasn't a good warrior. After circumcision is complete, many tribes allow the newly circumcised to rest and relax for a period of time. During this time they are taught tribal history and traditions. The mothers of the boys cook a lot of food for their sons so that the boys can gain strength. The young do not do any chores they would normally do until the rest period is over. Boys and grown men look at other uncircumcised men as "boys". This means they feel that the uncircumcised cannot be parents or hold a position of authority because they are not adults. There are some tribes that do not circumcise their members at all. One of these tribes is the Luo tribe. Since the Luo tribe does not practice circumcision, neighboring tribes consider this tribe to be composed of children. You will find boys from neighboring tribes teasing and bullying members of Luo tribe. In 1992 the first multi-party elections took place. What does that have to do with circumcision? Kenyans wondered what would happen if an uncircumcised man won the election. Since the uncircumcised are considered children, in their eyes it would be tantamount to to make a seven-year-old President of the United States. Circumcision rituals are slowly dying out and being replaced by more modern circumcision techniques. (women's health)

A man comes to the doctor and says, "Doctor, I can't get my foreskin back."

Then the doctor: "You don't lend something like that either."

You can't do that without money either. Male Circumcision Packages: Sh8,000 for circumcision under Local Anesthesia and Sh18,000 for circumcision under General Anesthesia. If you lose your foreskin, you also lose your money. balance must be.

Everyone sit down. The "new" men stand on a stage. The celebration begins. I understand almost nothing, even when English is spoken, which is not often the case. Don't worry. The "new" men introduce themselves. The relatives cheer. That takes time. A few more speeches will be given. I go. Look around the facility. About 20 minutes later the celebration is over.

she don't appreciate anything from me

she's always mad shes on her monthly

i'll pack my bags and move to the telly

she thinks i'm coming back like makaveli

We are invited to lunch, which will be served at Grandpa's house. This house is about 10 kilometers from the city. Nice area here. Everything is green and I hear it rains every afternoon. Comfortable climatic conditions. Soon we have arrived, are greeted warmly, and are sitting in a huge living room, or "sitting room" as it is called in Kenya. This sitting room is so large that the House of the Divines could easily fit in it. A tent has been set up for us guests, including armchairs, nice in the shade. Some benches are under the trees, giving those who are seated a nice shade. A buffet was set up at the house. Very good food! I have to admit. We all eat. As always, I eat too little for my divine, I myself feel full, it certainly has something to do with that I have hardly slept for a few days, and my appetite is suffering as a result. I can only calm her down with difficulty.

we use to be cool she pretend to be

your best friend can be your worst enemy

always alone that's why i never feel lonely

not around people cause they full of baloney

After the meal we will be introduced to the guests. Few know each other. I'm not known at all. First, the family members are introduced. When they hear her name, they stand up so that everyone can see them. Suddenly I hear my name too, I think I misheard it, but yes it's true, me too, a mzungu is introduced.

Some people give a little speech, the papa, the proud one, the grandpa, another grandpa, a nephew, the grandma. Then gifts are given to the "new" man. The "new" man is very happy about the gifts. Who wouldn't be happy about gifts?

After this program there is a cozy get-together. I'm talking to grandpa, I'm not sure if he's a grandpa, but let's leave it at that.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the toilet broke. Even a toilet can't stand everything. Of course not, a toilet has an expiry date. By the way, how do you call an intelligent toilet user. Answer: Smartass!

As it gets dark, the sky full of heavy black clouds we drive back to Kericho.

she's conceit i don't know how to treat her

she think i'm to cheap she want to date derek jeter

she think i'm a cheater, she stalk my tweeter

girl give me space i'm not justin beiber

The celebration is not over yet. We're going to a bar. I think we'll have another beer, then go back to the hotel and lay down. I hope so! I'm not a believer, but I pray for it! And that means something. Soon we'll be in a bar. A nightclub. music blares. Dancing in the basement. We find a relatively quiet place. There is a waitress who is responsible for the guests in the dance hall, i.e. in the basement, and for us one floor up. The beer isn't cold, cool maybe, definitely not cold, definitely not the way it should be. People are talking, I can't have a say, I still don't understand Swahili. That has to change! One round at a time. I ask: "Where are the toilets here?"

The answer comes immediately: "There isn't, everyone cheats on everyone here."

Its getting late. Not really late, it's getting early, we leave at 1 a.m.

I'm single like a one dollar bill

i hear people have problems like dr.phil

he's on drugs he live a hard life

can't control his temper he beat on his wife

The hotel is dark, no lights are on. The front door is firmly locked. We don't know how to get in. Then we hear a voice, it comes out of the darkness. "Take the entrance around the corner!" This is how we get to the hotel. I can't tell much more, I'm too tired and drained. Sleep closes my eyes. It's time to rest.

i'm sick of love songs like neyo

i'm gonna blow money in the casino

i tuck in my chain when i walk the streets yo

they quick to snatch ya chain like deebo

i stay fly like a pelican

they talk about me cause i make them feel relevant

my ex calling me i don't even bother

cause she still messing with her baby father

live life like paradise

you can't live off your parents like a parasite

keep it pimping i'm doing all right

single ready to mingle we party all night

Homecoming

 

Homecoming - Ujio wa nyumban

It's always nice to come home. I was at home, saw my loved ones, i.e. my daughter and my sweet grandchild, whom we affectionately call "monster". It was a good time, I have to admit, unfortunately it was too short and there are reasons for that too.

Why did I leave anyway? The answer is simple, it just makes those affected shake their heads. What happened? Three weeks before my visa expired, I applied for an extension. She didn't come. Well, I can't wait until the stop either, it would also be a bit unreasonable. I need 3 days to get everything done including : get ticket, pack up, go to nairobi, do covid test and hope it's not positive.

Here in Kenya, this covid consolation goes quite quickly, the result came in just 3 hours. Departure the next day.

Arrival in Vienna. Surprise! No one asks for anything, no PCR test or any other proof. However, the entry regulations state that only vaccinated persons are allowed to enter the country. Don't do it, it will only save time.

Oh, basi jilegeze

Nikubebe mgongoni (iyelewi)

Kitandani nikoleze

Kwa miuno ya kingoni (iyelewi)

Kisha nibembeleze

Nirudishe utotoni (iyelewi)

Weka mate niteleze

Kama nyoka pangoni (iyelewi)

Oh, then jilegeze

Carry me on your back (I see)

bed to cool down

For the (understood) of the king

Then beg me

Take me back to childhood (understand)

make me spit

As a snake in the cave (understood)

It did not take long. Really not. Two days after my arrival in Vienna I got the vusa extension! Bad for me, but nobody in Kenya cares. Should also be the same as in Austria, civil servants are a very special breed. I have nothing against officials, I would like to state that here, they do nothing. And this "nothing" isn't true either, it has to be looked at more closely. This "nothing" is explained very simply, they sleep and when they can't sleep they go out, meet another officer and ask, very disturbed: "Can't you sleep either?" Such is official life! Not as easy as you might imagine.

But let me tell you more. It's not that easy. Now it's happening in quick succession.

My wife is coming back. She was visiting Munich, Germany with her family and friends. My daughter and I have agreed that we will go away together for two days so that we can be together and have a good chat. The idea was really good. My daughter is looking for a hotel, books it, sends me a message. "You have to do a PCR test, otherwise you won't be allowed in the hotel. Take mom with you too." OK, I think to myself, no problem. We two go to the PCR test. In Austria it's free, doesn't cost anything, so no problem. We are waiting for the result. At 8 a.m. we were tested, at 8 p.m. still no result. The result comes at 2 a.m. My wife is positive! I will send a message to my daughter immediately. "We can't drive, mom is positive!" Great dismay! Why not!

I ask my wife: "Do you feel anything? Headache, sore throat or something else?"

"No, I don't feel anything, nothing at all."

So far so good.

So we were both in quarantine. Her because she's infected and I because I'm a contact. I have to go shopping, even as a contact person, who else does that? I do not know anybody.

After 5 days we will test again. same game Test in the morning, the result won't come until the next morning. And again there is a surprise. My wife is negative and I am positive! Back in quarantine. It just doesn't break! Now I can report from my own experience. I don't feel anything either, no pain, sore throat or fever, simply nothing! According to the laws in force in Austria, I don't know in Kenya, every infected person receives a letter from the health authorities telling the infected person what to do and what not to do. I've been waiting for the letter for 14 days. That's not all, there should also be a recovery letter to submit to the authorities so that I don't have to undergo a booster vaccination. I assume that this letter will not come either.

I really didn't want to wait long, ran away again.

I'm trying to be smart, search the internet. Then I come to the homepage of the health authorities, where it is written that if the CT value is > 30, you are not infected. That makes me suspicious. My report shows my CT score is 33. Am I infected now or not? I am writing to the state government. The answer states that the CT value has no meaning in the infection. If I test negative, then he has a statement. Later I learn that the CT value is used to determine the infectiousness of an infected person. So, I, with my CT above 30, I am not a danger to others.

"So now I'm Corona positive too. Last week my wife, this week me.

Supposedly she and now I should get a confirmation about quarantine, until today there were empty trousers.

If I recover, I would like to have documentation in my hands that I have recovered. Who issues these and where can I get them?"

My letter to the social welfare office. No answer so far.

hey

big tune man

Nahreel on the beat

Follow the rhythm feel the bass

Follow the rhythm feel the bass

Vee money be the one on your case

Who be the one, the one on your case

Correct, correct, correct

V money on the track, yeah

As already mentioned, I left the country quickly. Now I'm back in Kenya. Everyone demands something different. The airline requires proof of vaccination, PCR test, Qr code. There is simply no rule.

I would like to briefly mention my arrival. According to the Embassy of Kenya, everyone must be vaccinated. There are of course exceptions. Then it also says that all people who are not vaccinated must show a negative PCR test.

What is really being checked now? Proof of vaccination, QR code, which is no longer mentioned by the embassy. However, the Kenyan government requires all travelers to store their data in "Globalhaven". Just nobody asks about it.

So that was my arrival in Kenya.

Can I make you

Sweat sweat sweat

Sweat sweat sweat (oh nana)

make your body

Wet wet wet

Wet wet wet

Can I make you

Sweat sweat sweat

Sweat sweat sweat (oh nana, eeh)

make your body

Wet wet wet

Wet wet wet

I'm back now. Gringo, our dog, was very ill, we thought we were going to lose him. Luckily that's not the case. He's recovered and gets on everyone's nerves. When he was ill, people were surprised that he lay around so listlessly and wasn't interested in his surroundings. That has changed. Then came the agent who wanted to check something. He didn't get far, Jimmy, Gringo's mom, and Gringo attacked him right away, so he fled. Then he called and said: "The first and only thing I saw were two big, mean dogs!" The two did well, you can rely on them.

There's an old saying, "Barking dogs don't bite." What's so incredibly bad about this saying? My dogs don't know.

My divine spoils the dogs

"My sweet darling, my little darling, my Schnuckiputzie..."

I feel addressed: "Yes, what is it, dear?"

Then my Divine: "Shut up, I'm talking to the dog!"

I'm the only one who can be that shitty.

Uno unavyolishusha kwa chini (correct)

Uno unavyolipandisha juu (correct)

Na vile navyozungusha ooh, yeah (correct, correct, correct, correct )

What you got on the bottom (Right) What you got on the top (Right) And the way you turn, ooh, yeah (Right, right, right, right

My Friend Ramy

I got bad news. It was Thursday, that is, yesterday, when I received a message from my daughter. She wrote: "Bad news, Ramy is dead!" I fell out of the clouds. I must have screamed too, I can't remember that exactly, which isn't surprising. The first shock had struck. What I remember is that I screamed, "Ramy is dead!" What terrible news! what a pain I immediately answered: "What happened?" The answer came later, not immediately. It was something like this. We don't know exactly yet, we still have to investigate. He would have called on Monday, he was so happy, he had ordered a motorbike, he had to tell his friends immediately. Then he went home, lay down, apparently fell asleep. At some point he died, when that was, we don't know yet. Monday night or Tuesday morning. That remains to be determined. The cause of death is also not clear, was it a stroke, a heart attack, a pulmonary embolism? We do not know yet. Tuesday he lay dead in bed, Wednesday too. A friend found him on Thursday. Ramy was a fine guy, I may say so, we've vacationed together a few times. Ramy was the opposite of me. Physically for sure. He was smaller than me, with a huge belly. I, on the other hand, am slim and slim. Ramy was a tinkerer, a craftsman, he was really good at that. He had built his own camping gear. This may sound strange now, but let me try to explain. He built a tent that was erected over his car, through a staircase you could get into the tent. Next to it he had built a kitchen with running water and that was not all! There was also a shower next to it! And he had planned and built it all. Was unique. I, on the other hand, am a danger to everyone if I pick up a hammer or any other tool. Ramy was a fine fellow. The only downside I can think of is he snored horribly. We were in Corsica, at the campsite, he slept 3 meters away from me. That distance was way too short, I think 3km might have been enough, but I'm not sure. I'm sure I hardly slept, his snoring was terrible. Small children got scared, they had never heard such a noise. It was really awful, I have to admit. Ramy was a "fine house", as we say here. It's a shame he left us so young. Whoever God loves, He takes to Himself. Ramy, we will miss you!