Fully 1% Kenyan

Roots -- the adventure (not the mini-series)

I was forced to confront my roots and culture after stumbling upon a cultural touchstone that touched off a tumbling myriad of thoughts and comparisons. After 3 years in Africa - nearly to the day, I gave some thought to how I view my early life beginnings and where I find myself today. You see the Panari, a 5 star hotel here in Nairobi has a skating rink in it's midst!!!

Certainly cynical, I quickly sent a picture and email to my Kenyan/Canadian friend Chris delighting in my discovery. I'd heard of this fabled bastion of Candiana, but standing rink-side  -- well -- that was another matter indeed. The smells, sounds and crisp temperature conspired to yank me back to early days in my home town Port Alberni as I stepped onto the ice for the start of the third period resplendent in my yellow and green team uniform. The sound of the whistle, keeping my stick on the ice. pulling the trigger, the satisfying sound as one comes to a stop with ice shavings flying, the sound of a skate toe dragged along the ice... it all came flooding back. There are few things as satisfying as skating fast, effortlessly and free!!






In the picture above, I joined in with an idea to dress "African" for work. This is the best I could do. Yes -- there were quite a number of chuckles at the futility in my attempt at fitting in.
Simply said - I don't. 😊

Over the past 36 months, I've  practised Swahili consistently and have been rewarded with a smattering of phrases and an appreciation for how the language works. That said - real conversation in the local language remains elusive. More importantly though, I have shared beers, beds, coffees, hikes, and other opportunities to learn about the culture of this beautiful land.

What have I leaned? The pile of facts figures and perceptions I have collected could fill a high-school gymnasium. I have had to confront brutal violence -- diminishment of the value of life -- desperation -- poverty -- frustration and cultural practises that are as far from my understanding of life as Beyonce is from being my girlfriend. (Again - she has still not returned any of the 4,027 email sent - I may give up and deny her this amazing opportunity)

I've wandered through the country exploring the hills,  the valleys and the people along the way. Each adventure is like another layer peeled from an onion that brings me no closer to the center or meaningful understanding. There are no epiphanies or eureka moments here - rather the painful recognition that my understandings of the world are superficial at best, the sheer amount of ignorance and naivety cuts like a knife - bringing feelings of guilt for a mis-spent youth and a failure to be familiar with all that ails our world.  There have been times along the way where I thought I was getting it -- but I haven't. At best I have come to understand 1% of this lovely land and her people.

I want to thank all of those who have joined me in this adventure and shared my path. I think together we have leaned a little more about Africa and in that -- examined our own perceptions and values. There have been nearly 20,000 reads of my blog and for that I am eternally grateful.

Thanks for ready ...over and out -- Layno!!!

Over the top?

 

 Sometimes I go too far..... but is that a bad thing?

 

 

I remember grade nine at Alberni District Secondary School with astonishing clarity. Maybe that's because at the tender age of 14, the world becomes a slightly different looking place as you try on the adult goggles of life for the first time. ...and while hormones of unknown intention are surging through your boy/man body, you end up going a little too far. Such was the case one rainy day indelibly etched in my mind.

It's really the only explanation I have for why I suddenly shouted out "I love you Cindy" during a lull in the band class on that infamous day. In my defence she was a the hottest girl in the school and it seemed that this kind of brave act would obviously lead her to the conclusion that I had to be her boyfriend immediately.What was going on in my head?  What led me to the idea that indeed this was a good idea from a social engineering perspective remains a mystery to this day. I could feel the stare of my best friend sitting next to me in the trombone section. When I finally slowly looked over and met his eyes ..... it was a slow motion moment as his lips moved with the unmistakably meaning laden WHAT THE FUCK !!!!

Well - I now wonder if I have done the same with coffee. Is it a stretch? I don't think so. Imagine!! I get my beans from a special region in Kenya -- high on the plateau (think Ngong hills /Karen Blixen)  that are hand selected by "my guy". He then takes them to his small roasting plant where he turns the little green berries into something of staggering beauty. Again thank you Musa Son.

And not content with a normal bean.. I take the peaberry. Pictured on the left, it's the case that in about 5% of coffee beans, one of the two halves dies off leaving a beautiful little round berry ... rather than the crescent shape to which we are accustomed. Those are on the right.


So - now -- when we roast -- the bean is more evenly cooked meaning that the edges are not cooked more than the center giving a burnt taste. So you can roast a little longer without fear of burning the edges. The result is a deeper richer taste and I think a bit fruitier flavor.

Now the bean needs to be lovingly ground to just the right consistency, measured just right, and put into an AeroPress vacuum press as shown on the left. Timing is critical as is water temp and making sure everything is clean. The press is about 14 seconds and making sure not to go to far and press the actual grinds. This leads to bitterness. Speaking of too far and bitterness ....am I shouting "I Love you Cindy" again? Hmmm - no idea.....

Jake and my good friend his Mom

 

I was fortunate to have Jake and his Mom come down from Kakumega to stay with me for the week. Having a baby around is a reminder of many things. Firstly - it's a reminder that anything is possible from these little beginnings. Is Jake the next Gandhi or  President of Kenya? And what will come about in his life? Will he see a new Kenya and indeed a new world that is a more fair loving and thoughtful place? 

I'm currently reading J D Vance's novel Hillbilly Elegy    and in one beautifully written paragraph he talks about how we undersell ourselves in life. Coming up short of our potential again and again. I worry about the impact of social media and it's mind-numbing pop culture addictions. Is Social Media the new opiate of the masses?   

And while I worry - I also celebrate unfettered access to useful and important information.  Jake's cultural history is more available to him now than at any point in time as are the opportunities to learn skills.

As always if you would like to donate something to Jake and his Mom please let me  know Laynemahon@live.com

  

 

A quick note on flowers again ......

Both of these boquets were bought for $2 ..... what a bargain!!!! Even a couple left over for the bedroom. Napenda Maua  - I love flowers!!

Thank for reading ...Asante kwa kusoma ....Layno!!!