Vioja Ujerumani

After 4 weeks of European adventure (read technical training) I'm back on home soil. 1 month bila ugali na chapati was bearable considering that it was a first time trip, so sampling sights and sounds of majuu was definately worth it.



After Brussels came 2 weeks in Munich, Germany. While the sight weren't as picturesque as Brussels and Paris, the infrastructure and the cars were something else. Seems that German engineering is all that and more. We used the train system and it is absolutely reliable. The roads are partitioned for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, and alot of times, we were found on the cyclist lane, quite embarrassing!! The beer glasses were humongous, and also I found the closest picture of home i.e. Hakuna Matata pub. Cost of living is slightly lower than Brussels, and there are good prices for electronic equipment. I came into JKIA lugging a whole CPU, and went straight to customs just as formality, since computer equipment is tax free.




Interestingly, this was one place where the small world theory was proven kabisa. First I had the opportunity to hook up with several Kenyan chiles who went there under the banner of ‘Language Students’ i.e. Aupairs. It was interesting hearing their vibe on their mboch lives, and the search of a hook up that will get them papers (they call them Makara - short for makaratasi). The bottom line is that Aupair is just an entry point and the marriage (or kid) is the passport to full status change. So sad, coz these chics say they don't have any job opportunities back home so this is the only way for them to make a life and care for the folks and siblings.

The other thing is the 'solidarity' thing that black Africans (not from North Africa and Nigeria – they have their own mingi crew) have, that you acknowledge one another on the streets. Guess when you are few in number, seeing 'one of your own' makes you feel at least welcome. There's no open discrimination, but the atmosphere just isn't welcoming, and especially when you don't know the language.

East or West, Home is best. Isn't it?