Africa is SOOOOO annoying at times

27/03/08
Right that’s it I’ve had enough! No i don’t want to buy your trinkets, Yes I am going to the post office but no I don’t want your help finding it, I am NOT GERMAN and don’t want to buy your newspaper even if “good price, nice price for you mister sir!” AND IF ONE MORE PERSON YELLS “MUZUNGU” AS I WALK PAST... let’s just say its the last thing he will yell.

To be fair when we arrived there was a novelty of being the “White man” and people wanting to have pictures with us, shake our hands and touch our hair. The shine was always slightly reduced as it transpired that at least 75% of these people being welcoming, were only being so as the “White man is rich” and wanted us to buy their tacky bracelet made of coffee beans.
That said, you become so used to responding to anyone with “hapana asantai” (no thank you), that unfortunately this automatic response has meant I have actually missed the opportunity to buy really great pictures.

Maybe it’s a British thing, but if I’m looking for something, then it is that something I am after and not for example a rhino made of old bottle tops – a commendable achievement in its own right, but by pushing it repeatedly in my face with the accompanying “Good price for you mista my friend” is certainly not going to increase any desire I have to buy it. It is the Maasi market where this is worst, there are probably 100 little stores at the market, each box, rather than shop, measures a bijou 2x3x4m, allowing you to quickly take in everything in the shop, but still they drive you hard to get you into their shop – and they are even worse if you attempt to walk buy without looking in their cramped store

However, it has to be said that the remaining 25% of people who come up to us on the street are genuine, and merely want to say hello, ask how we are, even if it is only as a chance to practice their English with the Muzungo

All of that said, Mayhem has come up with a great idea for a t-shirt - I was going to write about the idea he has had, however I have just been told that it is essentially a military secret and that it can only be disclosed when we have actually returned – each to their own and he is the head designer so fair enough.

OK we now have a day consisting of eating cake – FINALLY, swimming in the nearby pool and getting our cut price suits adjusted - £30 for a 120 thread pin stripped 3 piece suit – I LOVE Africa – ok I love it when I’m going to the store and not being hassled but still I LOVE AFRICA!