Conversation Kenyan Style

Jambo Friends!

This is a small example of a typical conversation I have  with some of the local people. Ali, the fisherman delivers fresh fish to my place, our conversation goes like this.

Friday afternoon, phone call

Maria:   Hi Ali, how are you?
Ali:        Fine Mama Maria, how are you?
Maria:    Doing well, thank you. Do you have some fish today?
Ali:        No, Mama Maria, too much wind, another day. (Tell that a customer at Giant Eagle)





Monday afternoon, phone call

Maria:    Hi Ali, how are you?
Ali:        Doing well.
Maria:   Ali, will Mama Maria eat some fish today?
Ali:        Yes, Mama Maria will eat fish today. How many kilo can I bring, 3,5,10 kg
Maria:    Good, Ali, I am happy you got some fish. Can you bring me 3 kg (about 6 pounds) please!

Ali delivers the fish and our conversation goes like this:

Maria:  How is your family Ali?
Ali:       Well thank you. The girls are all in school and my boy is getting stronger.
Maria:   How is your wife doing?
Ali:       She is well, she gets fatter, like you!
Maria:   Ali, I told you before, don't call Musungu women (white    women) fat. It's  not a compliment in  our culture, tell them they look healthy.
Ali:       Sorry, Mama Maria, I will remember the next time.
Maria:   Thank you Ali, that's good and you will  keep your friends.

(We both laugh and Ali continues with filleting the fish) I paid about 1200 Kenyan Shilling for the fish (about $ 12 for the 3 kg, another stunner for Giant Eagle customer) and had a delicious white snapper meal.  How can you not love  Kenya!

Jambo

After a couple days without Internet I am connected again. A weird feeling not being able to be in touch with the world.

The last days have been extremely hot here, even Africans start to complain. Just imagine the hottest August days, for weeks without end, hot and humid conditions, always over 90 F or 30 C and all without air condition. The temperature doesn't drop much at night. It feels like 24/7 heat with no break.The power goes out almost daily and then even the fans are not spending any relief form the heat. Most of the time everybody goes about their business, just a bit slower. The heat saps energy from all of us.

Here is how some of us relax:

The Columbus Monkey is on the endangered animal list. Very view are around. They were hunted to near extinction for their beautiful white hair. The baby's are born all white and are absolutely adorable.

 

One place to escape the heat is a walk on the beach. The Indian Ocean with its breeze spells relief. It is gorgeous as you can see, but after 8 am its just simply too hot to be out there.

 

Beautiful Children

 Jambo Friends
Here are some of the precious faces I delight in when visiting the school.

High School Girls Initiative

Dear Friends

Today we met as a group of women who are passionate about ministering to High School girls. For the girls to stay in school during their menstrual cycle they need hygiene productions. We are looking for ways to provide them and also address age appropriate issues young women face in every culture. Great ideas came together and we are all eager to get the initiative started in different schools.

Brainstorming together and coming up with great ideas

Listening to one another makes every team valuable

Jambo Friends

Please listen to today's song, once you catch the melody and words it will be an ear worm.  I had a great time today in school, catch a glimpse.