Mzungu (that means white person)

So I was snarling again last night. I told someone that I could fix the broken hinge on the door. Hmm. Despite not sleeping much at night, I am feeling fairly well adjusted. This morning Mercy had some Kenyan french toast for us made with salt, paprika, and curry. Delicious.

As SB had noted, the water rationing stopped sometime yesterday which meant showers for all. Yay!!! It was really a shame that the electricity coincidentally went kaput and that means no hot water. Mid-lather I was convinced the water was running out again but later found out that I had knocked the main hose off the shower head. Brilliant. I refuse to be the white girl whining about shampoo stuck in her hair so I toweled off and went about my day. All afternoon I was wishing I could complain about the clumps of shampoo stuck in my hair.

We went to the city center today to check out the Masai Market. We rode the City Hoppa bus for 20 shillings and poor SB was stuck next to the most pungent underarms I have ever encountered. Almost impressive, actually. The market was jam packed with beaded jewelery, sandals made from leather and recycled tires, canvas paintings, ivory-esque carvings, and various other traditional Masai gifts gone mass produced. It was a square city block congested with vendors and beggers shouting “sista sista”. Mercy and Sarah were there and insisted they bargain for us. Otherwise, we get the “Mzungu” prices.

The afternoon came to a close with a late lunch at a cafe at the city center. We fell in love with some Kenyan coffee and the most intense fresh juices I have ever tasted. I kept playing in my mind the part in Willy Wonka where they lick the wallpaper and “raspberries taste like raspberries and shnozberries taste like shnozberries”. The fruit ACTUALLY tastes like the fruit. Imagine that.

We returned home on another City Hoppa which cost 40 shillings to go the same distance but the reverse. Not sure why. The trip was much less smelly but I realized mid-ride that I was making eye contact for much too long with a handsome young Kenyan and he bee-lined it for the seat next to me. Mercy stepped in and snatched the seat. She's the best. She didn't let me go without a bit of ridicule, though. I suppose I deserved it. Tomorrow we're going to church so maybe that will make up for it.