Mum in the Slum

Scrumptious to Scanty --  Contradictions and Catastrophe.

 

 

Amid the clinking of glasses, hushed chatter and mouth watering smells of Tuscan culinary delights, we dined Al Fresco on a cool night in Nairobi. Well -- at least we were close to the door which I think qualifies as it was indeed an authentic Italian restaurant in the middle of Nairobi. A foursome that included my friend Grace, we discussed the politics, culture and the realities of present day Kenya. My friend Grace (introduced a couple times earlier in my blog) is a extraordinary successful and thoughtful lawyer who represents her clients in a most passionate and earnest manner. Smart and fun - she regaled us with stories of courtroom calamities and other Nairoibiesque judicial realities. A pleasant night for all in the somewhere in Nairobi where it's just like Tuscany.

Slums and Poverty

Andrew, Grace, Mom and Kath pictured in the Malezi School Garden ... where they teach how to grow growy things

With the idea presenting the "Real Nairobi" to my guests, we travelled to two places to explore. The first - a formal but poor community known as Kawangware. Area 56 -- is rough... and because I've travelled through it many times ... I chatted easily sharing what I know as we bumped along the road ( which would be more like a trail) It was a moment of satisfaction and shame as I looked at the back seat where my Mom sat. Her face .. a mix of shock and horror was one that I hadn't seen since I fell off my bike and onto my head in grade 2. In both cases it looked worse than it was. I'd achieved the desired effect of exposing her to extreme poverty but felt guilty having done so. It's a bit of a shock. There's no pictures from this area as it's just too dangerous to be seen taking pictures. When we arrived back my apartment Mom's first words were "Is it too early for scotch?"Ordinarily yes .... but this brand of extreme poverty is hardly ordinary where we come from. Bring on the Laphroig!!!!



The Kawangware trip was a precursor to a visit to Malezi School in the Majengo slum. Whats the difference? Well - Majengo is an informal settlement so no real services exist. Water sewer electricity .. policing ... nothing. It is as poor a community as any in the world - though beautiful things are happening here. We were fortunate to have an escort into the slum and to the school led by Andrew and Grace. A pair whose selfless work and generosity of spirit has assured their place in the hearts of parents volunteers and most important the children who dutifully and gratefully arrive each morning.

Mom and Kath chat with school kids and teachers. Love the smile from the boy in the bottom left :)

Mom and Kath listen to the story of Malezi school now with over 200 children attending.

I think the shot above captures the way we felt on that day. The reality is a soul crushing.The kids and their parents have so very little particularly when compared to our comfy North American perches. It's with a profound sense of humanitarian failure that we sift through what we know and try to come up with the solutions. I listened to both Mom and Kath discussing possibilities that I too have considered -- knowing that we all just want to help. It's just not easy or obvious how to do so. It's not about money. It's about love and commitment. Well -- it's a bit about money 😀 but that alone will not address the situation.
 


Perhaps it was the writer Eli Khamarov who said it best, "Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn't commit." 

With that said - if there any readers who would like to donate to the school please email me directly and I'll ensure that we can arrange  a small donation that is well spent. Laynemahon@live.com

Thanks for reading ....Layno !!!

Back to Nairobi for a special treat!!!

 

 

Holy Shit!!!!! Mom is coming to Africa!!!! Layno look busy!!!

 



Hailey's comet while being elusive and occasional is at the very least expected eventually. Not expected in my wildest dreams would be the arrival of my mother and great friend Kath in Africa. The crazy star alignment that resulted in this plan coming together is a collision of thoughtful planning and a quagmire of uncertain realities all of which somehow were overcome. More excited than a chocolate lab who hasn't seen a people in 3 days - I eagerly awaited their arrival....tail wagging in excited anticipation. And like my lab Poncho maybe even peed a little when they eventually strode down the ramp talking excitedly with anyone who would listen. That.. is my Mom ...and Kath. I truly couldn't be happier than I was that day as their smiling faces met mine. That said - it was World Cup ...so getting them to a pub and a beer in hand was the first order of business -- sentimentality aside. World cup is only once every 4 years.... Lets move it!!!!

Once situated in a local with the teams bravely engaging in the acts consistent with ":the beautiful game" I watched in fascination as they melded with their environment with chameleon-like ease. Sure the lighter hair and skin were a bit of a give away at first, but they really had no trouble fitting in.

And if you have never been to an African "local" it would be best described as the following;

A place with stuff that meets the basic minimum infrastructure to sell alcohol. A place to sit -- a place to pee -- and a place to place your drink.

So having survived the local it was time to test their travelling savvy and intercontinental social skills with the likes of Lucy. A bestie introduced earlier in my blog, she is a  woman of infinite social ability and enough charm to lure a fruit bat from its cave on hottest African day. We agreed to dinner and a live musical at the Kenya National Theatre. Playing was Sarafina -- the story of a girl growing up in the mean streets of Soweto during Apartheid. It's as sad a story detailing a slice of the absolute depths of despicable human to human relations. It's one of a number of sad tales of human history we reluctantly leaned about in high school history. That is clearly touched my guests in that warm theatre on a cool Nairobi night is undeniable. Just when we thought dinner of fish sticks and chips would be the most emotionally challenging part of the evening, (all the rest of the food offered on the menu had been eaten I guess) we came up close and personal with African realities...in an African context. I think they'll agree that context is everything. Half way around the world watching a blurry CBC version of the events of the late 60's in South Africa is one thing. Sitting in a packed auditorium among African people, you can feel the resentment the anger and the outrage rising around you.....and you start to understand.....

Breakfast in Karen was in order for the following morning at the wonderful Purdy Arms restaurant. It's a favorite haunt for Chris and I where we have shared many breakfasts and laughs over the last couple of years. We we very fortunate that he brought his partner Ruth along to join us. Like Lucy, she is a very confident person full of interesting stories, perspective and commentary. It was a wonderful breakfast where we lingered long content with full bellies and that warm feeling that comes from sharing time with friends.

Kath is saying "That's cool but can you tell us more about Denys Finch Hatton - the lover????"

And while in Karen -- a visit to the Karen Blixen museum was an absolute must for this intrepid (slightly jet-lagged) team of travelers. Mom & Kath were perfect students filling in their surprising knowledge of the intricacies of her life and of course reliving the sexy romantic parts of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep from "out of Africa" ... it was just like that I'm sure. 😀 Handsome Denys is along side.... what a heartthrob!!!!

The girls and teacher/guide  at Karen Blixen museum.

Thanks for reading ..........Layno !!!

Chillin' in British Columbia -- on Canada's West Edge

Paradise found on a Full Race Ducati.

Ahhh is was so nice to be back to the sparking waters and awe-inspiring mountain views of Canada's majestic West Coast. A quick tour of Vancouver - Victoria - Nanaimo and Pender Island was in order and clearly the best vehicle for such an adventure would be a Full Race Ducati. Maybe I'm getting a bit old for this mid-life crisis machine hell-bent on destruction..... but as one of my favorite writers (Mr. Hunter S Thompson) so famously said... "it's much better to be shot out of a cannon than squeezed out of a tube".

Pulled over for a third time in 200 kms... Donut time gents..

That said - the police were less than fans of the Full Face Ducati at first and stopped me a number of times to ensure all was in order. Indeed it was all in order - in fact life was grand thank you very much.

I must comment that they were all (3) very pleasant and in the end agreed that a Full Race Ducati was indeed  the best vehicle for such and adventure. One convert at a time.


Riding a Full Race Ducati is not so much riding as it is simply hanging on. It has a mind of it's own shooting off like some wounded animal intent on thrashing itself to it's end. Every ride is a surprise and adventure accompanied by the hope that the angry machine has not finally had enough of the ineptiutude of it's rider. So far our partnership is intact and I have been permitted to remain in the seat.









Following are a couple shots of Canada's Spectacular coast....

The pacific ocean meanders contentedly between North and South Pender Islands

Oak Bay Victoria .. spectacular and surprisingly a  mere 3 kms from downtown

Paradise found on the deck a BC Ferry ... it is not however found in the over-priced gift shop. Jesus!!!

 As much as I enjoyed the sites and sounds of the Canada in late spring - it's my close friends and family that were really the most spectacular part of the tour. Many thanks to all who took turns hosting... like

Kim the Chicken Wing Queen with a formal royal designation in beer drinking. - thanks

 

Rod the professor of single malt Scotch and anything else with alcohol in it - he's not so fussy - thanks

 

Barry a fine student of scotch as evidenced by his choice in formal atire - thanks

Carla whose legendary cooking skills are exceeded only by her commitment to fitness - thanks

 And then a note on how special it was to see Jake and Stevie waiting at the airport as I bounced into the Victoria airport. I have to admit that given my almost complete absence of parenting skills- I never expected then to turn out to be such amazing young adults. 😊  My pride in their accomplishments is hard to describe but leaves me feeling content in a way that few other things can. I had to really think hard to find things to give then hell about. Many thanks to them as well for finding time in their busy lives to share beers, breakfast, burgers and a bit of hilltop sushi. And thanks to both of them for making me cry like a baby when I left. Well played.


Then - last but hardly least - off to spend a bit of time with my parents. How fortunate am I that they are such funny and fun people. Amidst chuckles and fabulous food - I admitted to myself that while gallivanting amongst the sexiest countries of the world - there truly is no place like home. Thanks Mom.

Mom and Dad's patio - as familiar a place as any in my long life.

A bit of Steak and Lobster loving prepared by my Mom - awwwww What a treat!!!

And then there's Dad. We don't talk nearly enough - but whoever talks enough with the people who have committed to a lifetime of guidance and support. It's a debt each of us shares with those who truly make a consistant effort to be there in our lives.

One afternoon over coffee in a little shop we chatted and laughed easily -- comfortable in our familiarity and lifetime of sharing so many things. Baseball practise, learning to ride a bike, cuts and bruises, career decisions  ... and most important guidance on the man I want to be.

You see  -- the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and for that I am grateful as he is a man of character. He doesn't waste a lot of time proving he's a good man. He just is.

I'm proud to be my father's son and love him madly:) Happy Father's day

Thanks for reading ....Layno and a Full Race Ducati!!!