Sometimes we don’t think things through as well as we might – something after two wondrous years in Japan, I know the Nippon people would never be accused of – very high tsunami, failed diesel generators and a near-meltdown-Fukushima-situation notwithstanding.
But as I trudged up the 4 flights of stairs to my new Nairobi apartment, a sinking sensation set in. I grasped the front door handle, breathless from the climb, pushed it open and a rush ensued.
Happy to be “home”; excited by imagining my furniture in situ; perturbed at the apparent lack of light bulbs; and dismayed by my realisation that the unfurnished flat, was truly unfurnished. I scanned the kitchen to find no fridge, no washing machine and no cooker.
Merrily, yea merrily, I skipped off to the local hyper-market, Nakumatt, for a stock-up.
Anyway, after 1 hour and with 700 pounds sterling evaporated from my bank account, I got back to the flat and struck a few matches. As the phosphorous filled the air and a flame flickered into life on my candles’ wicks, I settled down, snug on my newly acquired mattress to watch the penultimate episode of Gavin and Stacey.
iPads are surely blessed things.
Although it did feel strange: I had a 21st century gizmo, a glass of Australian whisky (cut over so slightly by Kenyan filtered water) and a faint glow of candlight illuminating my very empty bedroom in a decidedly 18 century way.
Not a picture one sees every day of the week. (Thank goodness!)
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