Three things. One, I had a wishy-washy week. I’ve been cramping really bad and on a phone call with Yvonne I realized how fucked I am. Two, I went for a mini picnic for my solo Sunday breakfast. Third, I’m pretty sad as I write this. I need financial breakthrough this week. I need a mountain moved.
Anyways, for my solo date this week. The budget remains the same, below KSh300, and before lunch.
My Sunday began pretty late. Late as in 9 am. Well, I woke up at 7 am and scrolled till 9 am. I then charged my phone and showered. Initially, I wanted to doll up and step out in style. Two problems. One, I was cramping and my body wanted to stay home and sleep. Two, I’ve gained weight. Lots of weight. The dress I was supposed to wear has grown short and lost a couple of inches on my waist.
I had been craving the Quick Mart hotdog and some hot coffee. Some nice coffee, not the one I make every morning. As for the location, Nanyuki Central Park would do. Touch some grass, people watch, sketch, eat, and hopefully avoid dismissive waiters (I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, or someone asking what I want. Because I want a lot of things and I’m not getting them and I feel like giving up).
I settled on low-waisted jeans, a pink t-shirt, a pink beret, and white sneakers. I did a bright red lip which took a lot of effort to achieve. I had to line my lips with a black liner, use a dark lippie on the outer side, and a pinkish lippie on the middle, blend the two, and then add a maroon lip gloss. I wore that for less than 1hr. Lol!
Initially, I wanted a latte because I like how it sounds on my lips. But Quick Mart didn’t have it so, house coffee it was. Have you guys noticed all house coffees taste the same? Every house coffee I’ve tried, mine included, tastes the same. Do they all taste the same? Or is my tongue broken? I’d give the Quick Mart Nanyuki coffee station an 8/10. They were fast and polite and the coffee was good. They would have an extra point had they not removed the seating area that was initially there. From my understanding, every Quick Mart has a seating area but I haven’t seen one in this branch. They would have the other point if they didn’t serve hot coffee and have slippery floors. Had I not terezad on my way in, maybe I would not have been careful when carrying the hot coffee. No, the floor was not wet, there were no signs and my shoes had grip.
Nanyuki Central Park
Growing up, this park was a no-go zone. The park was dark, dirty, and home to rats and thieves. As I followed instructions and had severe asthma, dirty places or places with strong odors repelled me. The first time I used this park, I used it as a shortcut. Nanyuki town has what looks like Columns. Columns are divided by roads. Each column has buildings and sometimes one or two buildings will have a way through. i.e. gates on both sides that people use to shorten their walks. The park is located in one of these columns. Next to it is the Nanyuki Main stage.
It has been used by churches for crusades and men have pitched a volleyball net here. The trees have been trimmed and the bushes cleared. They also renovated the pavement and elected a police station. Oh, they also have one of those stone politicians who love to show they did something.
Most Sundays, photographers camp here. As mentioned in the other Solo date, Nanyuki is a quiet town and Sundays are for lovers and functional families. Today, the photographers have camped here and are busy showing their clients what poses look good. I’m tempted to have a mini-shoot, but puffiness, and irritability stop me. As I scout for a place to sit, I see several men smoking under a tree with a little poster. The poster reads: usivute sigara hapa. I don’t care what you do with your lungs, but please, respect public places. I spot two ladies who look friendly and there’s space on the stone they are sharing. I approach them but I notice some people sitting on the edge of the path. I find a spot next to this lady. Between me and her is a tiny bush.
Every few minutes this lady and I have to check if our tops have moved and exposed our butt cracks. I would gladly show my downstairs cleavage, but today you might peep a pad. So, we keep adjusting our t-shirts.
I finished my little snack and it was time to people watch. The two men sitting across me were deep in a conversation that seemed important. A lady I had crossed paths with on my way to the supermarket was here with her friends and they were having a photo shoot. The lady next to me played TikTok videos, a movie, and music out loud. I was curious if she was waiting for someone or something, waiting for the right time to go home or to work. Was she having a panic attack? Did she make any serious decisions here? Why was she here? One hour later, madam was drinking some yogurt (I believe we eat yogurt, but she drank). I’m proud of her. Whatever that was, carrying yogurt with you is a good sign. Sitting by yourself and listening to whatever you want on a loud phone is also good for you. Pssttt: this only applies to women, as a man why don’t you own a pair of earphones? I hope she’s happy.
I’m on my period, right? Will ice cream hurt my stomach? Yes. Did I also want ice cream? Yes. Did I get ice cream? Yes. Did my body punish me? Also yes, but that’s not the point. Have you seen the layers in this ice pop? How did they achieve this? And guess how much? 10 bob! 10 shillings. And… they use milk. I know they add water too but they taste so good. I will tell you how I found this joint some other day, for now, I have a pillow to cuddle or scream into. Who knows?
Total spent Ksh 264
Coffee = 155
Hotdog = 99 (was on offer)
Ice lollies= 10
See you next week!