I Got My Hurr Did

Today was one of the better days I’ve had since arriving in the country. I had it all to myself. I started by going and getting a haircut. This was a bit of an experience as the terminology for most things like this are very different from country to country. After convincing the barber to cut my hair for less than one third the usual fair because it was all I had, I sat down in the chair and he went to work. I asked for 2 mm all around. The young barber kept reiterating “simple style”? ... “simple style”? Yes. I’d answer. Suddenly he produced a little white box, which I realized was filled with razor blades. I’m thinking to my self… Great!!! I’m paying this guy a dollar fifty for a four dollar haircut and he’s about to trim my neck with a straight razor. It turned out amazing. He even faded it a bit on the sides although I didn’t really ask for it. I think I’ll go back.

I then went to the office (still alone) and worked productively till I decided to venture into town. What started off as a quest to find an ATM soon became an impromptu shopping trip. I had no loose ends to worry about or people to watch. It was just me and downtown Mombassa. I found a little shop selling um “used goods”. They had everything from used high-end electronics to watches. I’m guessing they were “hot”. He had a Breitling watch that really caught my eye. I would imagine its an 800 dollar watch or so and he wanted 80 meaning I could probably get it for 60. I figured I’d wait. Its amazing how the economy here seems to have most things you need although no store would make you feel like it had anything at all. If you ask for something and the owner knows where to find it, they will usually send someone to get an attendant to the shop that will escort you over. Its great. I didn’t spend a lot but got quite a few things: some music, a few movies, and an umbrella. I think I spent 8 dollars in the process. Not too shabby.


This snail had already retracted three or four inches back into its shell. When fully extended it was probably 9 inches long.


Some of the ants are huge too

When you're young you hear stories about how huge bugs are in Africa. Strange thing is that its really true. If I saw a snail or ant like these in a movie I would have just laughed. They're huge.