Today was explore the old town of Lamu day. We walked through narrow alleys and up steep stairs to look at one of the hotels we contacted but didn’t stay at. Then my travel companion researched sillver jewelry-and ended up with an antique Yemenite necklace, rather like Indian jewelry. We lost each other for an hour, and I strolled the streets alone. Put my head into the meat and fish market and withdrew it rather rapidly. A hip and thigh bone from a medium size animal was lying in the middle of the floor. I thought I didn’t need to explore this market. Next door, the fruit and vegetables were grim enough.
Sunday is a busy day here. Everyone was in the streets. A little girl ran in front of me taking my photo with a toy camera-and saying Jambo- which is hello in Swahili. I posed for her and she was delighted. A fellow named Alfred or Arafat attached himself to us for a while. He pointed out thing he thought we should note as we walked and discussed the Kenyan elections. He remarked on a wood carving studio, and set us towards the hotel we were looking for. At the far end of the old city the street is dirt and sand. ”Everything is slow here in Lamu,” he said . No kidding. This was the main street. A little further down the road was paved. But still full of donkey dung.
Everyone here is talking about the election. I stopped to look at the newspapers hanging in the doorway of a book store and the three men inside were listening to the radio. One said,” I don’t understand the incumbent was behind by a million votes and now it is 40,000.” “It sounds like he is stealing the election, just like in the US,” I said. He was surprised. “Wasn’t Bush elected?” he asked. “Not the first time, “I responded. At which he said, “I thought the US was ok, but there is corruption everywhere.” He left muttering. The book store only sold newspapers and school materials. No books.
We had lunch in a local cafe. Poached crab- with rice on the side. Elaine had vegetable soup to start-it was thick and slightly spicy, like an Indian soup. We drank these “juices” passion fruit and lime. They taste really good, but I have a hunch they are made with the local tap water.Lunch cost $15.00 which is not bad-though prices here are like the States for most things.
Who knows what tonight will bring. Try another eatery!.
