work on tuesday and wednesday consisted of taking three small coleman camping tents to a little town about thirty minutes away from mlolongo called machakos. the plan for the next two days is to have as many people as possible pass through our tents for free, confidential testing. and, unfortunately, the majority of the people we come across need a whole lot of convincing to come inside our tent. well, convincing by kenyans, that is.
i have never been to a country where i have felt so incredibly out of place. there is absolutely nothing you can do to make yourself blend here. so, obviously, if i hand out a flyer about aids and getting tested, a local of machakos is a lot more inclined to take it from me then to take it from another kenyan. because you know that in their mind they're thinking "who is this little white girl, and what is she even doing here?". so they take a flyer. and then the hard part comes in. because i don't speak swahili. with the exception of hello, please, thank you, ok ok, it's your right, and free vct, i have no idea what any kenyan is ever saying to me. this is tricky because, unfortunately, you don't really know who you can trust here. some of the men i have come across have been perfectly nice. just very interested in who i am, where i'm from, and why i'm handing out this flyer. but most of them are trying to buy me. or marry me. and let me tell you, i'm pretty popular in kenya. i've gotten about ten marriage offers so far. maybe one of these days i'll take someone up on it... just kidding dad.
there's not too terribly much i can say about machakos. it is drab. and cold because it's farther into the country and closer to the mountains. all in all, we had a lot of people get tested over those two days. partly because the color of my skin made our little tent seem extremely interesting. but all i can really say is that just like the slums, machakos is one of those places that makes me feel terribly fortunate for the life i lead.
sweet little girl.
our tent.
machakos town.
No. 1 – Ant Pat and I are thrilled with your blogs! . . . . and your writing style! You write so clearly and capture the moment . . . . we feel like we’re there with you because it’s so hot here. We sincerely think you’ve got a future as a journalist and told Richard that today. As I’ve got an inquiring mind, I’d really like to know if the offers either to buy you or for marriage included a price or amount . . . I’d really like to know the market price of a wunnerful, young, white female in Kenya – e.g. two 6-packs, a case, a keg, and/or cow, etc. Please, next time you get an offer ask the going price.
ReplyDeleteKeep those cards and letter coming . . . have fun, stay safe, and keep thinking those good thoughts!
Love, Unk Upchuck and Ant Patty