I realized I'm not Kenyan

This past Saturday I joined a friend of mine and a Kenyan gal for a trip to town.  The friend is from the States and lives on lower station working for CURE.  I know the Kenyan gal from the times we have met over a meal, at church or more recently the fact that she works the reception desk at the RVA maintenance. 

I knew going on the trip that the goal was to find needed baby items for the Kenyan gal who is due any day now.  When my American friend shared a photo of the car stuck in the mud 10 minutes before we were planning to leave I should have been clued into the fact that the day was going to be an adventure - at least for me. 

Knowing that the rain had made things interesting for many vehicles recently I made sure to tell my neighbors were I was going before leaving for the day.  I wanted someone to know in case something happened, that way they wouldn't be surprised.  Plus, I was a little nervous because I didn't know anything about the car or the driver who was taking us.  I was impressed with how nice the car looked when I got in and later learned that the Kenyan gal's family has money, owns the car, and pays the driver a monthly fee to drive when needed.  I had never experienced this before and was thankful for the opportunity to learn more about Kenyan life. 

I would learn much more about Kenyan life as the day went on.  While we drove up the hill the Kenyan gal teased me about not knowing more Swahili for as long as I have lived in Kenyan.  It was wonderful to add a few new words to my vocabulary as the day went on.  On the way home I learned is that Kenyans aren't worried about being out after dark.  I guess that makes sense, since it their home, but it's fascinating that we are always cautions to be back before dark.  Not realizing that this was not important to Kenyans I misjudged the trip for the day.  I thought we would be back by 6:00 at the latest and soon found out that was not the plan.  It just made for a little worry on my part since I had a group of girls coming over at 8:00 for Caring Community.  

I was impressed that the Kenyan gal had researched places that had the items she needed and found good deals.  The first place we stopped what a new store in a mall I had never heard of.  I don't know if the white people only go to certain places, or if I just not been here long enough or gone to town with the families that know of other places, but I was impressed when we ended up in three stores with a better selection and prices than what I normally find.  It was so nice to see my money go further and to find items I don't normally see.  I should have known the native Kenyan would know where all the good deals were. 

We then headed for lunch.  I'm still trying to decided if its Kenyan not to worry about a lunch schedule, but I was amazed that we didn't eat until almost 2:00.  I have heard that Kenyans eat when there is food no matter what, sadly because they don't always know when their next meal will be.  I can't help wondering if this was part of the reason we didn't eat on a schedule.  That and the fact that "Kenyan time" is much more flexible than American time; meaning they get to things when they can and don't worry about being late.  

I was excited to eat someplace I hadn't been before and found out that the restaurant served Sharma for only $350 including fries and a coke.  What a deal.  While we waited for our food I ran down to the ATM and was suddenly frightened about walking alone.  Although there was a small group of white people headed into a restaurant I was very aware of the fact that I was the only other white person around.  Knowing I planned to get money for the grocery shopping I had later in the day I was a little nervous about doing so alone.  Thankfully, all my safety training came to the front of my head (just in case) and I made it to the ATM and back without any problem.

I've always wondered at the protocol for feeding a driver.  I learned quickly from the Kenyan gal that it is customary to buy your driver lunch when you go to eat.  I thought this may the case and have started to do the same, but it was nice to see that a Kenyan does this as well.

We continued our day checking off everything on the list and made it back safely.  Thinking back I realized that my worry about being late was not a worry for the Kenyan gal.  It reminded me again that time isn't stick for Kenyans.  An American would have felt bad that I was potentially late and would have apologized, but it seemed that it wasn't a big deal for a Kenyan because their sense of time is different.  

All in all, it was a fun day, one in which I leaned more about Kenyans and learned that my American way of growing up has made me very "not" Kenyan.  Even still, I look forward to learning some of the wonderful things about the way Kenyans do life.