In search of greener pastures, better pay and proximity to poetry events, I moved. Hello, allow me to re-introduce myself; I’m Gladys a small-town girl in a congested town. A white town I.e., no trees, too dusty and too many people.
I did grow up in a congested place. Sokoni area in Nanyuki. I didn’t have a problem living there as long as I had my friends. I had my mum and trees. There’s one very big tree in Nanyuki Mutumba and that was a great source of comfort. Although congested we seemed to know where everyone lived, their family and what vices they possessed. I had a community: tons of friends to play with. We then moved to the Ushago part of Nanyuki. I fell more in love with the trees, birds, cleaner air, and a true sense of community.
I’ve since made it my mission, consciously and unconsciously, to live in compounds that feel like Ushago. At least one tree. At least silence. My last rental had two tenants, great lighting, clean and quiet. At 6 am birds would chirp and two birds would sing on my windows. Some days a whole flock would swing on the hanging lines and bless my morning. The compound has potted plants. I fell in love with a pretty aloe Vera plant, fed it rice water, clean water. More than anything, the place was safe. The latest I’ve walked home, alone, was eleven pm. I’ve had friends drop me at 3 am and 4 am. I had friends I’d invite myself for breakfast or supper. Did I mention I could see the sunset while doing my chores? The sound of cars driving off was my lullaby. As a writer and Taurus, I was in heaven. The compound is poetic.
Fast forward to now. I’m leaving in a place that is quite forcing me to grow up and have my guard up all the time. schools back home have big playgrounds, adequate space to play and for teachers to administer punishment. Here schools look like rental houses. One building, a single building, with zero to no space. I live next to such a school. As I write this, I can only assume it’s break time as I can hear them sing and shout. Their voices sound covered; I’m left to wonder are they having their break time in class?
Have you ever inhaled too much dust that your mucus is chocolate-coloured? If you “don’t know how to walk” you will throw dust to the back of your head. I’d suggest wearing a mask. The water here is rationed. I haven’t quite grasped the days thank the good heavens for my water tank. Imagine trying to flush your dump and nothing? When I said I wished to pay more focused and work on my lower body flexibility. The universe said bet! I now train my hamstrings by jumping over sewage. I train my eyes to see where I step, I don’t just walk.
There are tons of street food options. Every corner has a fish joint, mutura, viazi, chapo, samosa etc. As a food connoisseur, I have no problem in fact the more the merrier! However, I have to wait. A wise woman told me when I move to a new place avoid eating street food till my stomach is accustomed to the area. It takes me ten minutes from the bus station to my house. My stomach is usually bloated by the time I get home. Once the bloating dies down, I will let you know how the food taste. UNICEF has notified me of an ongoing Oral Cholera Vaccination around this area. I am seriously considering getting vaccinated, better safe than sorry?
Of course, there’s always a good side. I have a chance to be a new person. In this new phase of my life, I will strike up conversations with strangers. I will inquire, as much as I need to. I am choosing to be more than bold. As this closely reflects my childhood home, time for some inner child healing. I’ve counted two sweets that remind me of my childhood candy.
Although I can’t buy fruits in bulk- there’s no actual Market- the fruits here are inviting. I’m yet to find my vendor which means I’m on a talking stage with fruit vendors- literally niko Soko.
To celebrate a week in this jungle, I bought a 20-bob avocado. From the size, I thought she’d as for anything between Ksh 40- ksh60. I choose the cheapest, 20bob one. I have no idea how to pick the best avocado so I asked the mama. A blackish cover with some green parts.as big as my palm. The skin felt tough and smooth. It cut so easily with my almost blunt knife. A big seed and healthy flesh. Green on the outside and yellow inside. I couldn’t believe my eyes so a little taste test. My spoon slid right through it. That chunk smelted in my mouth. have you ever had sweet warm enough porridge? How smoothly it glides in the mouth. the avocado had the lightness of butter yet was so rich in fat. I made a big scoop from end to end. If you are looking to try avocado culinary arts get this avocado. Have you ever had spicy food and needed something soothing to go with it? My 20bob avocado was the best accompaniment for those over-spiced eggs. Did I mention the madam was kind and said thank you? If I, were you, I’d want to taste this avocado!
Come back for more on my big-town stories!
this article first appeared on my other blog.