So here I am, on my last night in Kenya (for now!) at a cyber cafe. Friends have gone to negotiate a deal for my ride to the airport early tomorrow morning. My, my, how Kenyans like to negotiate! It's like a sport of some kind, and definitely a source of pride - and at times contention, no doubt. As a mzungu ('white person') it is best I'm not seen during the negotiations if possible. Otherwise the price will automatically rise. It doesn't matter if it is food, transit, or lodging - unless the price is printed somewhere in black and white, it's all negotiable. Perhaps I will learn the art of negotiating (or bargaining) when I have more of the language under my belt. Time will tell.
Time is another interesting concept in Kenya. I was told early on that Kenyans can 'create time'. What this really means is that nobody seems to care what time it is or how long something may take to do. When told that someone will be 'right back', I plan on waiting no less than an hour. When someone says 'it will just take 10 minutes', I assume they mean 20 minutes in 'Canadian' time. So the type 'A' in me has had a few challenges adapting to the 'new' concept of time here!
It is also difficult to believe how quickly time has passed. It doesn't seem like it was three months ago that I landed here in Nairobi. The ride to return to and leave Nairobi was much smoother than my arrival! It does make a difference in which travel options you choose!
Well, my friends are back so I'll sign off for now. See you in Canada soon!
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