Page 84 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 10

COMMUNITY
Redefinition

It’s All About same town where I find the scene

described above. It is where an
Perspective infamous transport stage can be
found and where matatu madness

By David M. Jones reigns supreme, producing its hec-
tic scene and chaotic atmosphere
obliterating any semblance of peace
and tranquility. It is where tuktuks,
n this quiet, bright sun- of their Maasai herdsman. Since boda bodas and donkey carts all
lit blue sky afternoon the Yellow fever tree and the other converge with matatus along with
while working from trees in the garden are home to a the general commuter traffic of
Ohome, I’m sitting in variety of birds such as Weavers, cars, lorries and pedestrians. The
the partial shade of an old growth African Paradise Fly Catchers, atmosphere is permeated with the
Yellow Fever tree as it allows a few tiny little Red Cheeked Cordon very loud noises of revving diesel
comforting rays of sunlight to pass Bleu and several other species, the engines blowing dark exhaust into
through its high and outstretched atmosphere is filled with unique the air; by dozens of touts wearing
branches. The air is clean and is calls and songs as they flitter about maroon uniforms competing ag-
being pushed along by gentle fresh calling out to one another. From gressively with one another, yelling
breeze. Beyond the garden outside my perspective this is a lovely place and attempting to direct passengers
of the low fence, I can hear the dis- to spend the afternoon working. onto their particular buses and
tinct sound of bells ringing as they vans. On top of this, most of the
hang from the necks of the cows, Just a few short kilometers away, matatus are blaring bone rattling
sheep and goats that are quietly when I need to do some small “trap base” music while incessantly
grazing along through the foliage shopping at the local street side leaning on their obnoxious hooters.
of the wildlife corridor under the markets, my perspective chang-
ever watchful eyes and diligent care es quite drastically, but it is the These two very different per-

84 | Heal . Restore . Rebirth . Afrika