DINNER AT GITANI'S + MATATU RIDE HOME

Stanley Gitani and Jennifer P

On Thursday night, we had dinner at the home of Stanley Gitari who is head of the Methodist Community Health Center (which includes the Palliative Care Program and the AIDS Education Program).

Stanley, his wife Mary, and their son live in a nice house on the hospital compound. It was a fun evening with good food and a chance to visit with a number of his friends.

After dinner (around 9:45 pm), Stanley and about eight of his friends attempted to walk us back to the hotel. It was very dark because there are no street lights in Maua. Nevertheless, the streets were quite active.

About a third of the way home, some of the men on the street began to gather around us. There was a little jossling (a man muttered Ali be praised in my ear).

One of our escorts turned back and fetched a local taxi. These are small trucks with a shell on the back and benches running the length of the bed on either side. I don't know how to spell it but it sounds like ma-ta'-tu.

Stanley and his friends formed a circle around us as we quickly clambered into the truck. Another of his friends arrived on a motorcycle and he followed us all the way back to the hotel just to be sure we arrived safely.

MORAL TO STORY: Mzungus (white people) should never walk the streets of Maua after dark. Related to the above, here is a somewhat facetious list of tips for getting around in neighboring Tanzania that probably applies to Kenya as well.