Sonder in California

 

One thing I have learned in California is that a car is not a luxury item! It is a basic need!

My first week here, I wanted to buy sodas; I walked for 46 minutes! 46 whole minutes! I saw the distance from Google Maps was 8 minutes; I assumed 8 minutes’ walk. Little did I know the 8 minutes was time for people driving. Do you know what those 8 minutes look like? It was like driving from Kitale town to Kiminini or Karen to Ngong! And I walked! At the end of the day, I was exhausted but proud of myself. I promised to buy a car as soon as possible. 

But since I haven't bought a car yet and I need groceries, I guess I have to find alternatives, no?

Wednesday 5.31pm

The mall I am going to does not close until 11pm. So, I can actually leave for the mall in the evening. My Kenyan side is struggling so much to reconcile the fact that going to the mall at night is okay. In fact, not my Kenyan side; this is more of my father's daughter's side.

One day, I was taking him and Mum for dinner; I had just gotten my first salary and wanted to celebrate in a fancy way. All day, he kept asking, "When do we leave?" I kept saying," We will leave later at night." I was taking them to Sarini Bistro by the flyover in Kitale town. For years, it was my favorite restaurant. Especially at night, when all those beautiful lights and low jazz music are playing. Anyways, while he was driving, he said, "Girls, do you know this is against what my mother taught me! At this time, people should be driving home. Not away from home."  it was funny at that moment, but right now I realize leaving the house in the evening feels a little wrong.

Wednesday 5.38pm

"Hey, miss,"

I looked up to see the driver opening the bus door for me. Well, this side of town doesn't have conductors; instead, the bus doors are automatic.  At that moment, I realized I had been standing on the wrong side of the road all along. I apologized and asked for directions to where I could wait for the bus for where I was going. I was embarrassed that I had not noticed this was a one-way road; I blame the Kenyan government for never finishing all road projects.        

When I came to America, my man, I call him Charm because I am absolutely enchanted by him; he reminded me fervently how jaywalking is a crime! I like crossing the road wherever the heck I want! It's easier, actually; it's faster, and I get to run, plus the adrenaline! Anyway, I have learned how to hit the button at the traffic light stop(since I don't know the name, we are going to go with the button that allows pedestrians to cross the road.)  I felt it important to have cars in adjoining roads stop so I could cross. In fact, if this is what the queen feels in all her tours and rallies, I see why one would want to stick in power.

Wednesday 5.58pm

The bus app said the bus would be here 6 minutes ago. And then 2 minutes ago, and now it's been 12 minutes. I guess Americans keep time in everything except bus rides. I just remembered one annoying conductor in Nairobi once told my friend, "If you wanted to arrive early, you should have left early or bought your own damn car!"

You know what! I need to buy a car!

Nothing fancy to begin with, just a wine-red Mazda CX5 or the matte grey/green, which I will always tweak the engine and exhaust when Pinney comes to visit coz of how she gets car goosebumps! While still on the topic of cars, I was inside two electric cars last week. A Tesla and an Illinois.  Lemme tell you, those cars are so plain inside. Charm says they are minimalistic, but plain is the word.  Just a screen; actually, two screens, and that's it. I want lights on my dashboard! I want cup holders, a car that's both automatic and manual; manual so when Charm drives, I can stare at the veins in his hand or, you know, hold them so he can slow down when he is driving so fast or hold them just because you know! Boy! I can't wait for my Mans' to have a car.

Wednesday 6.03pm

Finally, someone joins me. She is a girl from my school. I know this coz her ID card is popping from her pocket.  She made me realize I hadn't put directions for where I was going in the bus app. Actually, I did not know how to do that. She was kind enough to teach me how to use the app and how to pinpoint my exact location so the driver knows where to drop me off. She also shows me how to plan a trip.

We talked for a bit, and I realized how lucky I was. She stays three hours from school by bus, and I stay just five minutes. Three hours on American roads is like from Nanyuki to Nairobi. I guess having good roads has a downside. I felt sorry for her because she had classes four days a week. I can imagine the exhaustion she feels over the weekend.

Wednesday 6.14pm

The bus is finally here. As part of my school fees, the school has paid for bus tickets all over the town. I like that; it makes me tone it down a bit on my I need a car campaign.  Anyway, I let the girl get in before me just so she could show me what to do.

She entered and scanned a QR code from her bus app before sitting down. When it was time for me to scan the code for my ticket, it was not working. I panicked! I expected insults and rough talk from the driver, but he respectfully told me to increase my phone brightness, and it worked. You know, I think I need to heal from the trauma of a few bus drivers in Nairobi. I really need to.

So I went to sit down, but the bus was full. If you've been to those electric buses on Ngong Road, you are overthinking. Not 50 extra people full. Just had like 5 people standing.  So, I stood beside a pole behind this guy in a wheelchair.  Astonishingly, the bus has some sort of clips that were holding the wheelchair, so he doesn't fall in case of a bump, which, btw, I haven't seen any bumps in this side of town.

The guy in the wheelchair was a happy black man! I guess that's not wrong to say if you are black too, no? He had two cigarettes by his ears. None smoked. He was listening to hip-hop on loudspeaker. With Kendrick Lamar leading the Super Bowl next year, you're going to love this; he was shouting, "They ain't like us." He might have joined the Twitter feud a little too late, but in Charm's words, "Was he happy? Was he enjoying himself? That is all that matters."

I looked up only to notice I was at my stop. The 6pm sun was just beautiful.

Wednesday 7.08pm

A few months ago, Pinney's friend Maya called from the UK and complained about how hard it is for her to find cute clothes. Okay, not cute clothes, but clothes she liked that did not look cliché.  I underestimated just how much of a heads-up she was giving me. I went to Ross to get a few weather-appropriate clothes, and let me tell you, I spent forty-three minutes in the store and only liked three things. One is a pair of heels, but I only liked those heels because they looked like a pair that Piney has, a cute blue bag, and then a backpack for school. So I left Ross.

 I went to Forever 21; everyone who cared enough about my fashion sense in Kenya used to tell me I could get nice clothes at Forever 21. The place was aesthetically five stars! It was a good blend of black and white; it had calm, relaxing music that gave a rich Auntie vibe. My favorite thing was how it was the only place where the AC was not too cold for me. By the way, since coming to California, my biggest culture shock is how outside it's extremely hot and inside extremely cold; there is no in-between, so that was nice. But the clothes were giving high budget colorful BDSM wear! You know, if I wanted those, I would have gone to Lovers not Forever 21! So I left the mall right at around 7:33 PM.

Wednesday 7.56pm

Remember when I said Google Maps in America is accurate? Well, I guess not always. I spent 30 minutes walking a distance that I could have spent 5 minutes. I just need to get a car and stop complaining about Google Maps and walking long distances!

Wednesday 8.04pm

Now I am just feeling pissy! I spent a whole hour getting here and this people closed shop at 5.50pm. Why? Because the AC was not working! But why couldn't they send a notice online? Why wouldn't they upload the notice on social media? I am upset. Even the fact that I had 20,000 steps did not make me happy. You know I could be out there sending Charm a screenshot with the caption, "Let's call Kipchoge for a little conversation."

Anyways, just outside the store I was going to, a couple of college kids were getting high on this or that. What stood out for me, though, was the old man entertaining them! The man was higher than a sky scrapper, laughing his heart out; I guess he had said something truly funny because the young bloods were laughing too, and soon they started dancing to a song that sounded more like a chant. Sometimes, I admire the happiness that comes with being high.            

Soon, a lady came with a whole cart of stuff and a cat that wouldn't stop meowing. She joined in the bliss, and while I watched them get lost in the moment, the water sprinkler came on! You know I haven't taken a cold shower for weeks? Imagine how I felt at that moment! But the high parade just laughed and jumped with their hands in the air like they had no care in the world. It was beautiful to watch.

Wednesday 8.12pm

I am passing a Starbucks! I had a gift card for Starbucks, but I didn't feel like coffee. I felt like something more than coffee. I was so hungry and craving a burger since my class presentation yesterday on strategic decisions made by Burger King. I have some fantastic ideas for improving the franchise, but I should wait until they read my proposal. Who would have thought I would have the audacity to spam a company's mail with a proposal? Quick question, should I patent the idea before they implement it? You know, so I can get royalties for my intellectual property?

Wednesday 8.17pm

I heard shouts! It sounded like kids. We all know how that awakens the maternal instincts in a person. I turned around only to see some kids who were almost being left by a bus running towards it. I envy the agility and speed of children. As soon as the bus left, I saw a McDonald's behind it. I think the world heard my cry for a burger.

Wednesday 8.26pm

I am back to wanting a freaking car!

I crossed the street to McDonald's. All doors were locked, so you know,  I could not have the in-house dining experience. I went to the drive-through area, and the lady told me I had to order via the app, and then she closed the window. I downloaded the app and stood there like a fool. Knocking on the windows, no one heard me or came to take my order. Then, as soon as I left and a car came, they opened the window.

I have never wanted to upgrade from a Mitsubishi to a Mitsubishi as much as I wanted at that moment. So here I am at the "button," hungry af! Waiting for a bus that I am not sure is how far away.

Wednesday 8.40 pm

The bus is here! I am so excited to go to the house. I guess I am just going to cook rice and potatoes. I actually miss that combination. Charm used to cook it on days I came from work frustrated. He would add some spice that made it turn brown and smell like it had meat. He would then let me eat a little more avocado than he would. I miss that. I miss his food, I miss his hugs, I miss him, I miss home.

 This time, the bus was almost empty. But the AC was on, and it was super cold. I hate how everyone here sets the AC this low. I am so glad that my roommate and I agreed that we wouldn't be turning on the fan AC in our house. She likes it cold, and I feel the chills literally on my teeth and end up turning on the heat; she feels like she is in a sauna, so we agreed we put the fan off, and if either of us wants it on, we do a neutral 72.

On my ride back, there were some really loud kids, in a not-pleasant way! They were cursing so much that the driver stopped the bus and called the oldest among them to give him the talk. There is something about some kids in America who just don't listen. Those kids were a good example; the driver stopped again and gave them an annoyed mother talk, "Yall ain't gonna listen? Yall ain't gonna listen?"  They all immediately kept quiet. It was interesting to watch.

Unfortunately, I had reached my destination, so I don't know if they listened or not. But one thing I know is that the driver is one hell of a disciplinarian. She reminded me of my mum.

Wednesday 9.00pm

I just got to the house. It still doesn't feel like home; how can it be when it doesn't have my family or friends or my a million plants. But it is a beautiful house with a balcony Gracie will jump for, a kitchen Pinney would die for, a bathroom Cupcake would travel countries for, a washing machine Daystar would be grateful for, a dishwasher Anney would always load, a TV Palito would be stuck on, and a bed Charm would never leave. It is a perfect house, but not home!

 

P.s: The writing style and tittle was inspired by an article from my favorite author Lesley Chacha in Sonder On Ngong Road . It is an amazing read written from the perspective of a passenger on Ngong road after a long day at work. Just how interesting are your matatu rides?

And so it begins!

“Racecourse Thirty, Karen Fifty, Ngong Eighty!” A tout shouts from the top of his voice while hanging on the side of the door. My mind briefly wanders- have they ever fallen? Not in a bad way, but more during their first days of touting. Did they miscalculate a jump and hit the cold yet hot Nairobi tarmac? Or did they lose their footing while that bus was going at 50 kph on Ngong road and fell? Are we there yet? No. We haven’t even started.

“Racecourse Thirty, Karen Fifty, Ngong Eighty!” He calls out again. He looks impatient, and I look back at him. I don’t want our eyes to make contact because if they do, I shall have to board his vehicle. He has carried me five times in the past month, and I am confident he can remember my face. Only this time, I got a cold at work, and I am wearing a mask. I am sure he won’t recognize me as our eyes briefly cross.

“Kuna kiti!” He shouts again. I look at my watch and contemplate boarding the bus. It is no Super Metro, nor any Metro Trans, but it’s 7:15 p.m., and I have a meeting at 8 p.m.

Here is the link to the full article.

 By Favor Khaoya