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!!!