Lots of people sign off emails to me now with the phrase 'Stay Safe'. It's rather sweet. I am trying, but things like this make it a lot harder...
Taxi Driver: So I think the quickest way home is through Kawangware.
Me: Well…that would mean driving through a Nairobi slum on a day of widespread civil unrest…but…I’m sure you know best! (surreptitiously locks passenger door)
Me (after a pause): So where does this road bring us out?
Taxi Driver: uh?
Me (getting suspicious): Are we heading towards the Ngong Road?
Taxi Driver (happily): Ah – yes! Yes!
Me: Uh…you do know there’s trouble on the Ngong Road today?
Taxi Driver: Yes, yes.
Me: So…you know, you’re the boss and everything…but I just think maybe we should try another route?
Taxi Driver: Yes, yes.
Me: So we need to turn left here.
Taxi Driver. Ah yes.
Me: …and…yet we’re still going! I really hate to hurry you…it’s just that there are people throwing stones and burning buildings down this road and we’re going fairly fast towards them…
Taxi Driver: Ah yes – but it is safe now.
Me (preparing to swallow wedding ring in order to regurgitate later in a safe environment): Well…it’s not totally safe. People are rioting, throwing rocks and burning things about half a mile down this road, and it’s just that I’d hate anything to happen to your car (adds silently ‘or myself’)
Taxi Driver (sudden dawning of understanding): That’s happening today?
Me: Ok that’s it. Give me the wheel.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment