Day 35 - READ ALL OF THIS AND TRY TO BEL

Day 35 - READ ALL OF THIS AND TRY TO BELIEVE IT
June 8th

As I sit outside of the al-noor cafeteria, nearly lakeside, I think
that if i didnt know I was In Kenya, it would be hard to really place
where I was. There is a large mosque up the street, 'mosque ave' as a
matter of fact. In kisumu there is a large indian population and that
deffinitly differentiates it from my destinations thus far. This
creates some interesting culture clashes. I'm not sure how or just why
the Muslim population has settled here. I don't care.

All I care about is that I'm about to eat chicken Marsala. Only one
problem. This is an indian resturant without non? I asked for
something close to non and the brought me this. ( Picture should
follow ) it's like a giant potato chip. A papadum. The texture leaves
something to be desired, but over all, not half bad.

I'm still in kisumu because of a miscomunication. I was intending to
meet a contact here and speak with him about his project. By the time
that I got here and got his number I found out he's not in town. But I
think it's for the best. I worked all Saturday, traveled on Sunday and
a day to explore on my own is turning out to be pretty nice....

And as I say that....

Mom- DO NOT READ THIS

After I ate I took a walk around town. I went down to the bay and
relaxed and then a jaunt around the industrial district. It was fun to
walk by myself and see everyday life.

Now I'm back at my hotel, sweating bullets and shaking, because I
can't quite believe what just happened.

It seems pretty safe here most of the time. A lot of people want to
ask you for money and stuff like that, whatever. I was about two
blocks from my hotel when I stopped quickly to take a picture. I know,
not the smartest move. This guy comes up from behind me and grabs my
arm. ( as I write this I still can't quite believe it ) this guy is
wearing only a loin cloth but covered from head to toe In what must be
charcoal or something. Whatever it is, it's black and now on my arm..
He's carrying a long plumbing pipe and has an old water bottle tied to
his waist, filled with black fluid. He has no bottom teeth and a
disapproving scowl.

Just to be clear, this is not the jungle or some tribal reserve. This
is the city.

As he grabs my arm and touches my chest with the pipe I struggle back
and say 'woah...' a security gaurd outside of the new victoria hotel
steps over and says something strongly to the guy. I just head back to
my place. I didn't think too much of it. It was weird, but whatever. I
keep walking back and I'm checking my 6 to see what he's doing. As I
do that I see the security gaurd chasing him, chasing me. Ok, this
just escaladed.

I'm a pretty quick guy but I'm wearing Birkenstocks. I was lightly
jogging and this guy is running. He's holding the pipe like a weapon
he intends to use so at this point I feel it's safe to yell 'get away
from me!'

This doesn't work. So now I'm clapping and yelling at the security
gaurds outside of the stores 'hey, hey, hey! Security!' it at this
point I look back and see him hurl the pipe at me. I'm about 7 to 10
feel away and it hits me in the back. I lose my sandal look down and
see the pipe rolling next to me. I grab it, put on my best 'I will
seriously hit you with this.' face and turn around, wound up, like I'm
at bat. I scream one last 'get the fuck away!' and take a step forward
like I'll swing as he gets mobbed by a group of guys from the tire
place behind him. They tore him up. I dropped the pipe and walked Into
the hotel as the people on the street rush to doughnut around the
scene. People start taking their belts of and hold like chairot
racers. The man at the Hotel counter looks at me, says something in
Kiswahili, reaches down under the desk, comes back up with an old pack
of cigarettes and hands it to me.

So what did I learn from this? Never underestimate the power of crazy.
I don't think I'll be in the habbit of walking alone anymore. But I
also learned that most of the people here are willing to step up,
protect those who need it. More than anything I learned that if you
need help, yell. Yell like you mean it.

Though I'm a bit shaken, I'm not shook. I'll finish my trip (maybe
with my head on a swivel) and perform to the best of my ability.

More alive than ever,
Matt