By George Morara
You know am having a really nice time in Europe (I really am, and it’s a privilege) but I miss home most desperately!
In most of our churches in East Africa for example, singing is so spontaneous you feel the spirit moving! Young people with their voices as their ONLY resource sing as though Jesus has just arrived!
There’s singing when collecting the offering, when walking forward to present an item, walking out during greetings and almost at any silent anecdote!
Then there’s the weather! Normally I’d be in a short sleeved shirt for most times!
Then there’s the fresh, wholesome food! I miss the ripe juicy absolutely delicious pineapples, mangoes, pawpaw, passion fruits, loquats, guava, avocado and the sweetest sugarcane and roast corn!
You haven’t even began to imagine all the traditional dishes with some of the healthiest most delicious relishes! The vast amount of our greens and culinary skills that make our amazing food culture!
From grandees old recipes all the way to roadside cooking- from mandazis, roast cassava, to ‘viazi vya karai’- specialities of The Kenya Coast – to the 7star hospitality!
And then there are the people- from family- old school mates, the curious ever-cheerful hungry children, detailed and elaborate elderly men and women who’d tell you tales of old reckoning time with and by events!
Then there are the mountains, the valleys, the meandering rivers, the gentle fresh water lakes- the savanna flatlands with acacia tries only beaten by the long necked gracious giraffes (my favourite animal) and the many other wonderful creatures both of the Sea, air and land gracing our Country!
And then our enchanting and equally chaotic towns and cities! The throngs of people- all despite their individual circumstances- From the traditionally clad Maasai to the modern high heeled sexy chicks of our cities – the white collared and all and city hawkers, street kids, beggars and job hunters- one dysfunctional happy family!
The feeling of being in Africa is indescribable! I see only opportunity, possibilities and a people who cannot be held back anymore!
I just want to go home! And when I start to have vivid, almost touchable dreams, it’s time!