Traveling to the coastal city has amazing attractions for the eyes. As you embark on the journey, cruising through the marvels of the city of the Sun (Nairobi); the wanna-be sky scraper buildings, the bustle and hustle of the common Kenyan on the streets, running and pacing to make ends meet or to put a plate of food in the table, the beggar begging on the streets or the parking-boy sleeping peacefully along the bypass or highway. Like that’s not enough, you see the beauty of ‘civilized’ Marabou Storks spying for a possible carcass for them to eat and the almost feel the stench of waste scattered on dump heaps as if there were no workers to clean up! Well, this is the view of the great city and as I close in on my now varied horizon, I can’t help but notice the smell of aspirations in my blood veins as I turn left and watch from. Distance, a plane land or take off at the JKIA… “Yes!”, my mind thinks, “One day my son might just be checking in or out!”. (He says he wants to ‘endesha ndege mpaka Jommo Kenyatta Airport’- at this, a quiet, hopeful smile forms on my lips. It is okay to dream right?
Finally the city is disappearing through the side mirror and you can almost tell the serenity of not being in the craze of the city. But, oh! There’s still Mlolongo and that other dirty yet busy stretch comes before finally all of civilization will be reduced to plains and trees and all that natural scenery. Its enjoyable to see what the horizon ahead opens up for me. By now, my mind is looking for the coastal tongue in me- that accent in the articulation of Swahili! (But I’m corrupted with slang…but who cares!?) I am finally out of the normal perspectives and sites and sounds. I will behold more amazing sceneries courtesy of the unfolding horizon ahead. Many times I don’t know what the other city centers have become like or if the road still has a corrugated diversion… I still look forward to being at the coast!
After several hours, the heat starts to be heavy on my skin…too much humid and breeze; this is the promise the horizon has held for me since several hours ago. I’m finally in Mazeras, then within another short time, I’ll be in Mombasa looking forward to a Ferry ride. Phew! I’m so tired and hungry yet excited at the same time. Once at the Ferry, I look left and right and all I see is the glaring wonder of a cargo ship! Too heavy yet very peaceful on the waters! ‘How is this possible?’ Well, some say it’s technology and the genius of man, but I see the grace of the wisdom of God in the heart and mind of man. But wait, there’s one more thing; I’m a bit anxious. Why? I’m not a good swimmer and this machine, Ferry, is purely man made. ‘What if we…’ But I quickly brush the thought away! I’m looking forward to the next horizon promise.
To be continued…
