Jambo and Karibu to Africa!

Friday 13^th April

Jambo and Karibu to Africa!   (Hello and Welcome…)

The proposed time in Kenya was rescheduled prior to the pilgrimage beginning and upon arrival at the Fulcimino Airport in Rome the flight was further delayed. A significant time was spent at the airport eating sandwiches and viewing various shops to see in the early morning of the delayed flight on Kenyan Airways to Nairobi.

Despite fears of a Kenyan Airways flight on Friday 13^th seemed daunting for many of the pilgrims due to safety the service was well received. The views during the flight over northern Africa were spectacular of the plains, lakes and mountain ranges for those that were awake. The flight into Nairobi revealed that there had been recent rain. Tired and weary the pilgrims disembarked and were met by a friendly Br Kiko at Nairobi airport.

Travelling from the airport to the Dimesse Sisters complex in Karen revealed African life in a variety of ways. Commercialism with new structures lining the road and huge billboards advertising products in English were easily visible. People observed from their vantage points beside the road of locals driving, riding and walking, not to mention the mzungas (white people) in two buses looking back at them with interest.

A short cut due to a traffic jam provided insight into the poverty of people in Nairobi. People living in galvanized roofed houses, walking with bare feet, climbing “unsafe” wooden scaffolding on building sites, and scavenging through rubbish were just some of the images that will stay at the forefront of the pilgrims mind in time to come. The view of Kibera, Nairobi’s largest ‘slum’, was confronting both in enormity and the poverty experienced by those living in these compacted galvanized dwellings.

Upon arriving at the Dimesse sisters complex and then banking and eating in the nukkmart galleria one could be excused for being in Australia and not in Africa on pilgrimage due to the niceties that was experienced. The difference was the security measures taken upon entering the shopping centre.

Br Kiko took the pilgrims to the Nairobi City Market to experience Nairobi life. People observed, talked and mingled with the local Nairobi shop owners as they sought a bargain of wooden sculptures, paintings, clothing and jewelry. “Jambo Australian, kangaroo” rang around the aisles of the market. Papa, meaning father, was also mentioned much to Peter and Paul’s lack of amusement. The excitement afterwards in the bus to dinner confirmed that most were happy with their ‘bargains’. The view of the meat section of the market was met with reservation. The markets were challenging, confronting and intimidating for many in the group, whilst others relished the opportunity to be with the African people.

An extravagant dinner at ‘Carnivore’, the beast of a feast, was a gastronomical affair of soups, potato, spinach…in extreme moderation. The main menu consisted of MEAT, MEAT and more MEAT! Chicken, Beef, Pork, Turkey and the interesting meat of Ostrich and Crocodile were delicious as the waiters cut the meat from stakes using large butcher knives until one could eat no more. One pilgrim mentioned, “How dangerous this knife is over my shoulder whilst it is cutting the meat”. Some pilgrims even ate ox balls and ostrich meat balls, African delicacies. Tusker beer washed down the meat as stories and laughter about the day echoed across the table. Happy Birthday to Carole, who due to some quick thinking by Magdy, organized a cake and the African waiters to sing in Swahili, all to the delight of pilgrims and restaurant guests alike.  The birthday wishes were much to her surprise!

It was a challenging and exhausting day as seen by the very weary pilgrims having ‘micro sleeps’ at dinner and on the bus. Despite the exhaustion it was a wonderful and enriching experience in beautiful ‘slow paced’ Africa.

Habari za usiku (Good night)

Mark and Jenny Ashmore

Marcellin College, Bulleen