November

11/01/05

Power is out. Lantern is in.

I cant believe its already November! Time is really slipping by fast now. Six more weeks to get it all done.

I went to Kisii today. It was, as usual, extremely frustrating. First was the photo shop were they don't have the part that I need in yet, then up to Barclay's (I'm really getting frustrated with these people. Apparently the problem is a backlog of accounts in Nairobi, the guy assures me that the account will be opened this week. But this is really staring to be a problem. The jokes about 'African time' aren't placating me anymore.) Then the veggie market for mama and then some batteries for Daniel and then the internet. You know, I love hearing from everyone, but it take so long, the computers are so slow. I was literally sitting there for six hours to send two dozen emails and post some journal entries (okay, and check my myspace messages… I'll admit it.) But as soon as you are getting somewhere, the power goes out (four times today) or the server goes down (at least ten times.) And they play terrible American R&B and it smells and the seats are so uncomfortable…

After the internet, it was Nakumatt (well, first two samosas, I was starving, it was 5pm and I had eaten breakfast at 7:30am. I need to start packing a lunch to Kisii.) Nakumatt came out of nowhere, while I was on vacation. It wasn't there when I left, and as I came back through Kisii at 5am on my way back, there it was, all lit up neon and huge. It has brands. Brands I recognize. It was kind of exciting. Colgate. Pringles. Hariblo. Truthfully, I have Colgate and I'm not buying Pringles (though I did get some Hariblo black licorice… mmmm… But the first time I went in there, last week, I just sort of stood there, amazed. And, they didn't really have their shit together, so I managed to get three grapefruits at 18/= a piece. Today they wanted 81/= each! But I did get two mangos in the veggie market for 20/= each. Anyway, today I did my shopping fast.

It was late and raining when I got out on the street. I caught one of the last Matatus back. It was dark when I got back here (the sun is setting on the other side of the A1 now. And we don't have daylight savings here. Equator and all) and the power is out. And my phone is almost dead. And dinner is boiled spinach and beef chunks and an attempt at spaghetti (I love mama for trying.) And of course my fruit bowl, I've got an avocado and half a pineapple and two carrots. Oh, and a passion fruit was hiding in there. Oh, and an orange!)

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