I’m writing
this on a plane, flying between London and Nairobi after spending 6 weeks in
the UK for my nephew’s 8th birthday and Christmas. Despite being a
lot shorter journey than it was in the days of old, it’s 8 hours of being in
limbo land, practically pinioned to my seat by the bulk of the person next to
me, and the small space between my seat and the back of the seat in front
(which at least this time seems to be staying in the upright position!).
Always
very odd to be going from one world to my other, very different one. Both of
them are normal in that they’re both home, and I function equally well (I
think) in both, and yet so very different to each other.
In the
one, there’s family, and friends who I’ve known for many years, with an
increasing number of friends I’ve known from Kenya. In the other, there’s no
family, and an every-changing circle of friends, as people come on shorter
contracts, or figure that, mainly due to family reasons, it’s time to return to
their home country.
In one,
there’s an overwhelming array of merchandise in the shops. In the other, the
range is getting larger, but there’s always an uncertainty for how long you’ll
be able to find a preferred product on the shelves.
In one,
things seem to fall apart when there’s a power cut. In the other, it’s barely
noticed, businesses, schools, shops and even some homes being set up with
backup generators.
In one,
things are generally orderly. In the other, well, ……!
In one,
roads are signposted well and satnavs are the norm anyway just in case you
can’t read the signs! In the other, you’re on your own!
In one, practically
every city and town has good restaurants, shops, cinemas, ……… In the other,
very few of the towns have been developed to anywhere near the same level as the capital city, which itself ‘boasts’
the largest slum in Africa.
In one,
even country lanes are tarmacked. In the other, even the road between my flat
and the office in the capital city is murram, with streams of muddy water
during rainy season creating gullies and ravines.
In the
one, the amount of daylight varies dramatically over the year, but life
continues as normal. In the other, the sun comes up and goes down at pretty
much the same time all year round.
In one, I
blend in and have anonymity when walking amongst strangers. In the other, I
don’t, and because of the colour of my skin am automatically targeted as being
wealthy (which relatively speaking I am compared to some, but certainly not
compared to the guy in the big new 4WD in front of me!).
In one, I
was born and brought up, though am not longer resident (which has its
complications). In the other, I’ve been resident for 11 years, but am only
permitted to be there through the granting (and payment) of a work permit. A
long term future is by no means secure.
In one, poverty
is in your face. In the other, you see
it on television or read about it in the newspaper.
In one,
it’s summer all year round. In the other, things are very changeable!
In one,
there are tight restrictions on health and safety. In the other, there’s a much
greater degree of flexibility and ‘freedom’.
Going
from one world to the other can be hard, largely due to the leaving of family
and friends. However, both worlds are home.
They just happen to be very different.
