Gringo

 gringo

Funny thing about getting older:

Your eyesights starts getting weaker but your ability to see through people's bullshit gets much better.

Gringo is my dog. Yesterday he turned 5 months old. The little drifter. I mentioned him before, along with his dear mama, whose name is Jimmy. Before I continue writing, I have to explain what gringo means and where this name comes from. In Mexico proper, "Gringo" can have a derogatory, or casual/ non pejorative meaning depending on the context of which it is delivered. "Gabacho" has more insulting connotations. A commonly held myth within the environs of Mexico itself is that the origin of "Gringo" was an allusion as to the US Army under the commands of generals Taylor/Scott fielding green colored uniforms, hence the "Green-Go!!!" silliness. (This is utter rubbish, as any serious student of the Mexican-American War knows that it was the color blue, and remained so till khaki, and later, onward thence to green, replaced it many decades later. A popular song commonly sung by the intrepid American troops, whilst they marched along was, "Green Grow the Rushes," these words being repeated (refrained) throughout the song, "Green grow,..etc," being taken by (the then ) contemporary Mexican ear as "gringo." (The most "likely" origin...) In other regions, apart from Mexico itself, it basically refers to any "European looking" individual.

"Mira a los pinche Gringos de mierda! Como es posible se ganan cada batalla, aunque se tienen erjecitos tan pequeno!?!" "Look at those damned shit Gringos! How is it possible they win every battle, when they have armies so small!?!" (Outnumbered 2-3 to one in every major battle of the 1846-1848 war, when facing an actual standing army... Buena Vista, Chepaltepec, etc...) (by Rule Britannia! )

If you want the world to stay the way it is, you don't want it to stay the way it is. (Erich Fried)

Why did we, my wife and I, give him the name Gringo? The answer ist quite easy. My wife loves watching these Mexican soups, which are called "gringos". That is certainly the main reason, who can or dares to refuse their wife something? "Gringo" in the broadest sense can also be interpreted as "white", and gringo is a white!

I wanted to call him Desperado, meaning outlaw, that would suit him better. My wife came, looked deep into my eyes, then asked very kindly: "You really want to call him Desparado?"

A chill ran down my spine. "Of course not! Gringo is much prettier!"

I got out of there with my life again. Admittedly, it was very close!

Before I continue to write, I have to tell the story of Jimmy, Gringo's mom, as far as I know her.

Jimmy was my wife's grandma's dog. Grandma had died 3 years ago, the dog was ownerless, nobody wanted him. A man then took him, not because he had a heart for animals, his consideration was quite simple: she's a female, she gives birth to young ones, I can sell them, I'll get enough money to get drunk one day . And so it happened.

My wife, without me at the time, was walking by his home where Jimmy, that poor dog, was chained. That's how they got in touch. It should not be concealed here that Jimmy and my wife had and still have a very close relationship.

Then one day I came. No big deal for Jimmy. I can still remember well, I was walking next to my wife when Jimmy came running. First he greeted my wife, then he sniffed at me.

"This is Karl!" she explained to Jimmy, pointing at me, "and this is Jimmy" she explained to me.

"Hello!" I said to Jimmy.

He also had his head cracked.

That was our first meeting.

Somehow it turned out differently than expected. One day Jimmy didn't leave, he stayed close to us. In the evening, when we went to bed, we locked the door, there he was, in the morning, when we unlocked the door, he was there. What was left, we gave him food. He didn't go away! When we went shopping, he was with us. Always and everywhere he was there. There's only one place he doesn't go and that's the village. Perhaps I should mention that someone cut him across the muzzle with a machete, leaving an ugly scar to this day.

As already mentioned, Jimmy was and is inseparable from both of us.

It came as it had to come, Jimmy got pregnant! As soon as we realized it, we started feeding him. Jimmy's owner was fine with that, why not? No work and the money for the babies would come! After all, that's the most important thing!

Eventually Jimmy's owner came and got him, he kettled him, but nothing stopped Jimmy! The next day he was with us again.

One fine day Jimmy was digging a pit, so we knew delivery day was coming soon. Two days later say Jimmy in his pit, he was whining. I went to him, he raised his head, looked at me. I stroked his head but his eyes said mur leave me alone! I went away again. You shouldn't stay where you're not wanted.

An hour later. My wife is screaming. I run to her. "What's happening?"

"The first baby is here!"

It was a very adorable baby. Six more followed in the next few hours. Jimmy lovingly took care of the boys. I brought Jimmy something to eat, but he must have been too exhausted to eat.

The place was well chosen, but relatively bad in the rain. Something had to be done! We built him a rain shelter. That wasn't the only thing, we couldn't leave the babies on the cold floor. We got sawdust. So we climbed into his house, took the babies out of the pit, poured sawdust in, put the babies back in. Jimmy watched us intrigued. He growled a little, we were lucky. Not everyone was allowed to come near his children, he "ate" some of them! That's how it is with mothers.

The next few weeks were exhausting for us grandparents, but we made it. Unfortunately a baby died, it was a great loss. So life is!

One by one the children left. We only kept one, this gringo. The white man, that mzungu, that good-for-nothing! As already mentioned, Gringo is now 5 months old. He's a real rascal. My wife won't let him into the house, he knows that too, he stops at the door frame, doesn't go any further, as soon as he sees my wife, if she's not there, he comes to me, greets me or he lies down on the sofa. Sometimes my wife comes back, sees him, takes a stick and jumps on him, then he saves himself under my legs, waits for a good opportunity and then disappears.

Jimmy and Gringo have now become good security guards. There is nothing better! You are unmatched!

Jimmy bites like a bloodhound! Whoever he doesn't know, he frisson up. People here are surprised, because that's not normal. Not for a dog! One said that the mzungu, i.e. me, gives him something he's never had before. I have to agree. I gave him what I can give to a living being: love and respect.

Once the owner came back, he wanted to get Jimmy, but he ate it right away. So he's still there. He won't go away! He belongs to us! We, my wife and I, were adopted by him. That's how we feel too.

Now Gringo lies on the armchair in the sun and takes a nap.

You have to be a dog!

Mambo yamejipa yaani BANG!

Muda wa kupumzika umefika umecome again,

Ndio maana watu wanashine,

Ndio maana kila kona nayopita watu ni wengi,

Ukidelay utapotea,

Mtoto anajiachia kama ameshapata mmea,

Kwenye bo body yake mindo sarveyer,mzeiya

Nazidisha miguso anadai (endelea)

sa naona club haifai,

Hata washkaji wangu nishawaambia bye

Mtoto ashalalia bega mi naride

Namuuliza anataka nini kwangu

BED AND BREAKFAST,

In the market - Kwenye soko

In the market - Kwenye soko

I have to go shopping. There is a market two days a week, Saturday and Wednesday. Saturday is busier. At this market there are the daily vegetables that are just ripe. All the hustle and bustle takes place in a relatively large area, which can be entered through three gates and is surrounded by small apartments. It's not that far from the house where I live. Of course not alone, together with my wife. It's always with me when I go to the market. Must be so, when the farmers see me, alone, then the price skyrockets. This is an inflation that only lasts a few minutes and is gone by the next customer. Here everything lies on the floor, nicely arranged so that it immediately catches the eye. It's no different than my home. Psychology of Selling.

Nlikuwa na best yangu anaitwaga Kuria,

Ameokoka kila place na bibilia,

Story mtaani alirape ule Maria,

Ameokoka kumbe mkristo,bandiaaa

some people know me The pineapple man knows me. Pineapple are my favorite fruit. He always greets me kindly. "Good morning, sir!"

I have to grin. Who is a sir here? The good man completely misunderstands me. I come here almost every Saturday to buy pineapples, that has the advantage that he always sells me fresh pineapples.

Most are farmers. They come from the area, I don't know them, my wife obviously knows from whom she can and should buy what. I act as a porter, walk behind her with bags in my hands that are slowly getting heavy. It's a pacing, a pacing and pacing. And me, like a little dog behind. Too bad I don't have such a good nose as a dog! It's big enough, but I can't smell anything.

Wasanii wengi sana tu ni bandia,

Buda Tomiso noma asana aliimba sinzia,

Mi nko juu naifanya kama career,

Hunaga show we ni rapper,bandia

In front of this market are other traders. Shoes, dresses, jackets, household appliances are on sale there and I don't know what I've overlooked or forgotten. The things here are not new, transposed, mostly they come from Europe. Caritas brings them here, where they are then sold. Not a bad deal!

I gave an order to a woman outside the vegetable market. She was to make a bracelet in the colors of the Kenyan flag with the name "Veronika" embroidered on it. It took a little longer, but finally it was finished. Instead of "Veronika" the name was "Veronika", it wasn't enough for the "I"!

Siendi works mi nafeel tu malaria,

Naenda hosi kutafuta dakitaria,

Bila test anasema dihorea,

Ita polisi kuna doctor, bandia,

Last time I looked at pants. When I got to the sales kiosk, where nobody was to be seen far and wide, the salesman appeared out of nowhere.

"Here are some nice pants," he tells me.

He shows me. I decline.

"I'm not buying, I'm just looking!"

That can't stop the man. He rummages in his pants.

"Here are some nice pants, they should fit just right!"

I look at them.

"What's that supposed to cost?"

My wife gets curious. She is looking for something two meters away. When it comes to paying, she pricks up her ears. women are all the same.

"What do you want to buy?" she hisses at me.

"Nothing, darling!" I reply, startled.

"That's a good thing!"

Just got away!

"Do the pants fit? It's not always clear with your size," my wife joins in.

"What is your size?"

I dont know! What man knows that? I am not omniscient!

"I don't know," I say.

"The pants will definitely fit!," says the seller.

I say to my wife: "Check the back, there must be a label!"

I turn around for her to come to the label. She's fingering that back. It does not work!

"Wait, I'll open my pants!"

I undo my belt, undo my pants. Must have been a sight to behold. It works out. She can read the label. It's true, the pants fit like a glove! I don't buy them. Not yet, maybe next week. Do not know yet.

My golden wife bought me a pair of pants a few weeks ago. She was traveling alone because if the dealers saw me, the price would go up. I'll keep it short, she really did buy a pair of pants, but for a woman! Now I have to take my shirt out of my pants so nobody sees. Am I a transvestite?

Ule ex wangu anaitwaga Lucia,

Nlimpenda roho yangu akanivunjia,

Niko single bila manzi nafurahia,

Staki love kwanza zile,bandiaaa

Money makes the world go round

The political scandals of recent years have severely tarnished Austria's international image. According to the latest corruption index from Transparency International (TI), the situation has worsened recently - in other words, the country has become more corrupt. Compared to 2020, Austria has lost two points in the index and now finds itself in 13th place with Canada, Estonia, Iceland and Ireland with 74 out of 100 points. However, the problem is not only increasing in Austria - corruption is also becoming more and more of an issue internationally.

Kenya is on place 128. Not bad. The direction is correct... Or not? Last year, that means 2020, Kenya was on place 124. So, even in Kenya, its going down. 

Points are awarded, for example, according to whether a government successfully curbs corruption and whether corrupt public officials are prosecuted or punished. Bribery and venality, nepotism, theft of public funds, the effective prosecution of corrupt public officials, and effective integrity mechanisms in the public sector are all included under corruption.

Data from https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2021

https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2020

The highway in Nairobi

 While in Nairobi a highway is being built through the middle of the city, which we also have in Vienna and do not want it, now, perhaps in contrast, a bike path is being built, it is a new central bike route from Kagran through Leopoldstadt to the City. The "mega bike highway" will be about seven kilometers long. One of the centerpieces of the new connection is a road - the redesign of which was controversial for a long time; one lane will be eliminated there on the way out of town, and parking spaces will also have to give way. In its place, a bike path more than four meters wide will be built. This is naturally responsible for an uproar. The almost 4.50-meter-wide bike lane will be designed as a two-directional bike path. It ends in the inner city area.

Here, anyone can see the difference. While Nairobi is going to degenerate in exhaust fumes, Vienna is going a different way - no exhaust fumes, more green. Which certainly can't be called negative.

The conditions in Nairobi are certainly completely different. A direct comparison between the two cities is therefore also difficult and certainly needs a broad understanding of urban planning and public conditions.

Poor and rich or not so poor after all? Matajiri na maskini au sio maskini sana

 Poor and rich or not so poor after all?

Matajiri na maskini au sio maskini sana

I've been in Kenya for a while now. I look around, as is my way, open my ears, see, hear some things, try to understand. What I have understood so far is what I have described before, namely that every Kenyan is poor. Well, I've learned that's not the case. All the wailers are richer than me. am i poor Well, let me put it this way, I'm on the lower end of the income bracket, a little less would mean, in the stats, I'd show up as poor. Do not despise me, for I am not poor, poor are only those who desire many things. Another thing I found out is that the poor don't whine like the pseudo-rich do. A poor person can have a happy life because he has only one concern, the next meal. The rich have much bigger worries when he lies down to sleep he fears that he will wake up the next morning, since he doesn't know whether his fortune is still there. Another concern is how can the rich increase their wealth? Who cheats him as he cheats? The rich know that they can only get rich through cheating, nobody has ever gotten rich through work. It is a shame that the poor suffer under a legal system where influence, wealth and bribery often count for more than the truth. Jolie Foster put it this way: "Criticizing the rich has nothing to do with envy. It is self-defense. Hoarding wealth is the cause of poverty. The rich are not only indifferent to poverty, they create it and perpetuate it ." The Bible says it's more like an elephant going through the eye of a needle than a rich man going to heaven. Aristotle wrote: "Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime."

That for the introduction. There is also a happy life, whether rich or poor.

Here's a guide to happiness.

1. See the wonder in all things.

Why does a man have one more gene than a horse? So he doesn't drink out of the bucket while washing the car. And that really is a miracle!

A greater miracle is the miracle of love. Love without ifs and buts. Can love exist under such conditions? She can, but is more inhuman. Love is limited, there is no way around it. Love has forms. Love, like us, can only exist under certain conditions. Love always knows and speaks only of us. Of our neediness, fallibility and our finiteness. I, personally, need air to breathe and my love nonviolence. I need food and drink, so my love has been based on goodwill and appreciation. Otherwise it would expire.

Be open to things. Whatever comes your way, take it, whatever it is, there's little better to come.

2. Keep your enthusiasm.

In order to get ahead in life, it is necessary to do what makes you happy. Not everyone is successful, they aren't, so you shouldn't lose heart, the main thing is that it was fun. Mao Tse Tung said it like this: "The way is the goal."

On the other hand, I can't help but grow old. But I can make sure I have fun doing it. That's it! When I'm 80, I don't want people to say, "What a nice old man" ... I want them to say, "Omg, what the heck is he up to now?"

3. Help others

Don't compare yourself to others, that's not right. Man is unique and there is only one specimen on this earth. Reach out your hand to people, help where you can. We all need support no matter who we are.

In Manchester people there is just nothing positive, nothing good anymore. The question is how did they lose it, what happened? Nobody is born like that.

Smile and be friendly.

4. Do things you are good at

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away," wrote Pablo Picasso. And Pablo did what he's good at: he painted. "Guernica", his famous picture. We don't want to and can't orient ourselves to Picasso. Let's keep our feet on the ground. When is a man the smartest? During sex, because then it is connected to the central computer.

5. Read books

Those who read books usually know better. Warriors are not always the ones who always win, but the ones who always fight. Those who read books have a greater chance of winning.

In other words, if you read, you might understand the following. We make the pizza round, stick it, join a square box, and eat it into triangles. Who understands this, understands life!

6. Limit the TV

The TV fee is a fee like for the garbage dump clock. The difference is that the garbage collector takes the garbage away.

Aristotle said: "Be a free thinker and don't accept everything you hear as truth. Be critical and evaluate what you believe in." And that's only possible without television.

7. Love your work

If you do a job you don't love, you do it badly because you don't enjoy it. Don't waste your life on something you don't want. "We have two lives, and the second starts, when we realize that we have only one," says Confucius. Life is so short that we have to decide what we want to do with our lives.

8. Gymnastics

Man makes even the desert bloom. The only desert that still gives him resistance is in his head. The brain needs a good blood supply to be able to think properly, so gymnastics is very important. We make decisions, which require reason and consideration.

If you are older than those around you. Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many.

9. Face your fears

You always want to own something you don't have. Here's an example: In the middle of the ocean. You on a small island, another in a rowboat. The one in the rowing boat shouts happily: "Land!" You, on the island, exclaim: "A boat!"

Both only want one thing: to be saved. He who is on the island needs a boat to get away, he who is in the boat wants the land.

People could learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them. (Carl Gustav Jung)

Don't forget one thing: Freedom is beeing you, without anyone's permission.

10. Believe in yourself

Be content with what you have. Appreciate the little things too. But above all, you've achieved something that you did on your own. Nobody can dispute it with you.

No one is responsible for your happiness but yourself. Keep going, undeterred and straight ahead.

11. Seek closeness to friends and family

"Your whole life you will be faced with the choice, love or hate. Decide for love," said Johnny Cash and I can only agree.

The love that a person needs, that he needs to be able to lead a carefree life, he gets from family and sincere friends.

Make peace with your past. You can't change it, look to the future, because there you have the opportunity to shape it the way you want it.

I, personally, would rather be hated for what I am than loved for what I am not.

Please do not forget: "The only constant in the universe is change," said Heraclitus of Ephesus. We change, every day. We are getting older and hopefully a little wiser, which is not always to be assumed.

12. Let your heart be your compass

Tell your wife, "Honey, I'll make you the happiest woman in the whole world!"

And hope that she doesn't answer with a full sentence: "I will miss you."

It doesn't matter what others think of you. It's not important! What matters is how you feel. Follow your heart. Don't look to the right or to the left, the path of the heart is the right path, it will lead you to your goal.

To say it again: No one is perfect, not me, not you, not them. Relax, and be who you are.

Women and always women

Women and always women - Wanawake na tena na tena wanawake

You do not find a happy life, you build it.

Back in the village. Back in the highlands! Noticeable climate change, the wind is cool, the sun no longer burns the skin, it is quite comfortable to wear a jacket. It's not cold, but it's much fresher than in Mombasa or Nairobi.

The dogs, i.e. Mama Dog, named Jimmy, and the dog's son, named Gringo, are happy. They jump up on us, lick us, of course we're happy about that too.

We're tired and we're going to bed pretty soon. The day had been long and a bit exhausting, although we didn't do much. Most of the time we sat in the matatu, looked around, that was all.

Bananas are on the kitchen table. I like eating bananas, just don't like them when they're too sweet. I notice you. I want to eat a banana. My wife cleans the fridge.

"Can I eat a banana?" I ask innocently.

"No!" she replies dryly and without batting an eyelid. "I bought the bananas for decoration purposes3, so when we have visitors, our visitors can see that we have bananas."

Well, I have to take it that way. Which newspaper does it say when the man throws his wife out the window? Of course in "Better Living."

Next day. We slept well. Gringo woke us up, he really barked just before sunrise and not too little. The day begins quite pleasantly, the sun is shining, the wind is cool, that doesn't stop Gringo and me from going for a walk. Two men are standing at a gate, talking. As I pass by, one of the men says to me: "Buy me some bread!"

That's legitimate, I don't have anything with me, but most importantly the man doesn't look starving. Gringo and I, let's move on.

We're walking along the highway. The traffic is tolerable, a car passes by every minute.. As a pedestrian, I am alone with the gringo. After a kilometer the two of us have had enough, I sit down on a rock and look around. A young man with two companions comes by, he sees me sitting there and he thinks that is a rich man. He comes to me, gringo reports a stranger, he barks. I have to hold him back.

"Do you have a job for me?"

"I do not have any!"

"Do you know where there are?"

"I do not know either!"

"You are a visitor?"

"This is me."

They keep walking. And also gringo and I are going back.

We come back to the village, right on the edge of the village, a woman approaches me. She's standing on the street.

"Habariaku!," she greets me.

"Good morning!" I greet back.

"I would like to talk to you!"

"Yes, please!"

"I want to have a little dog of yours!"

I'm somewhat surprised. 

"Are you free?" she asks me. 

"No!"

I go on.

"Stop, I want to be with you recently!"

I'm not interested, I'll move on.

That's all for today. The day is over.

My makeup is dry and it clags on my chin

I'm drowning my sorrows in whiskey and gin

The lion tamer's whip doesn't crack anymore

The lions they won't fight and the tigers won't roar

So let's go and drink to the death of a clown

Won't someone help me to break up this crown

Let's all drink to the death of a clown

Let's all drink to the death of a clown

The old fortune teller left dead on the floor

Nobody needs fortunes told anymore

The trainer of insects is crouched on his knees

And frantically looking for runaway fleas

It would have been nice if the day had ended peacefully. Yet it is not so far. A pastor stops the two of us. "Where are you going?" he asks me kindly.

"I'm on my way home. Lunch is waiting."

"Have you prayed yet?"

"I don't need it, my wife can cook!"

But now the day is over.

Nairobi

 Nairobi

After our trip to Mombasa we landed back in Nairobi. It’s 2 pm The wagon wasn’t full, the return journey from Mombasa to Nairobi was much more pleasant. I slept again, that was essential. I didn’t see any animals. Don’t think now, the guy was asleep, he can’t see anything, maybe in a dream, but that wasn’t possible, because I had hardly fallen asleep when my wife woke me up again. So I was able to see everything important and beautiful without having to pay attention myself.
I’ll call an Uber. He’s already at the train station. only where? Sometimes it’s really difficult! I send him a message, he replies. “I’m here!” Great, I’m there too! I look around, happy as I am, I find the car. Nobody there. I send a message “We’re at the car!” He replies: “I’m coming!” He’ll be there in a minute. We’re leaving.
Mombasa Road, the hotspot of traffic congestion. Usually all hell breaks loose here! Not today! Heavy traffic, but that’s about it. I’m a bit disappointed. Nairobi without traffic jams is simply unimaginable! I had to learn that the people in Nairobi are just proud that there are traffic jams every day. Maybe you saw this on TV from some big city and now think that a traffic jam belongs to a big city. Everyone asks me: “Do you also have such intercourse with you?” I can’t really tell the truth, most of the time I answer: “Yes, we have too!” I can’t really be proud of that. I’m in contrast to the Kenyans. They’re usually a bit pissed off.
“Really?”
“But yes!”
“Certainly not like this!”
“The same “
“I didn’t think so!”
‘There’s not much difference. In the morning and in the evening it’s backed up.’
“Surely the traffic jams aren’t that long?”
“Can’t tell how long the traffic jams are. The news doesn’t say that.”
Well, what can I say, free travel in Nairobi is not wanted. The dignity of Kenyans would suffer. This is the daily madness into which we — with our eyes wide open — plunge every day. Charles Bukowski put it aptly: “How in the he’ll could a man enjoy being awakened at 6:30 am, by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force-feed, shit, piss, brush teeth and hair, and fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so?” And that shows us very clearly what we do every day, with our eyes wide open, we are like a cat that chases you with a tail but never reaches it, or like a hamster on an impeller that tries to get from the spot, maybe also wondering why he is not moving. And we’re all stuck.
But we should also look at it with a smile on our face. A couple is driving the Maserati on the highway in Nairobi and is driving at exactly 81 km/h. A policeman stops the sports car. Grandpa asks: “Sorry, were we too fast?”
The policeman says: “No, but why are you driving that car so slowly?”
The man is surprised: “Am I allowed to drive faster?”
Policeman: “I think you can drive 130 km/h.”
The man says, amazed: “But the sign says A81.”
Policeman: “Yes and? What do you mean?”
Says the man: “Well, I have to drive 81 km/h.”
“No, that’s the number of the Autobahn.”
“Oh! Thanks for the tip.”
The policeman looks confused at the back seat of the car and sees the woman sitting stiffly with her eyes wide open. The policeman asks caringly: “What’s the matter with your wife? Isn’t she well?” Grandpa laughs out loud: “Yes, yes! Only, we’ve just come from the B297!”
It can also work that way.
What is the difference between a car and a vibrator? The car is for the ass.