Sundays back home!

When I was in Kenya one of my favourite days of the week after Saturday was Sunday.Why Sunday?Well you see the thing is that since I used to work outside the cbd most of Saturday was spent running my errands ie going to the bank, going to pick up movies, shopping etc.So much I was not at work, wading through the masses in the city centre was not that much fun, add to that the heat and the traffic and you have one tired Acolyte.But then again it always did beat work and some of the sting was taken away by the times I would meet my friends for a drink and a soccer game, go see a movie etc.
But it still didn't beat Sunday.You see first of all Sundays for me back home always felt so relaxed and tranquil.When I would walk through the estate to where the newspaper vendor was I would notice the absence of human traffic as most people had the day off.Then there were the Sunday papers to look forward to even though I must admit that over time the Sunday papers became less and less enthralling and fun to read.Of course there was the Sunday breakfast of french toast, bacon and scones ( I don't do eggs). When I was in my church going phase, I also loved the way there was almost no traffic on the roads.Uhuru highway which was usual as fast moving as a river of molasses was mine to do with as I pleased (as long as the traffic cops were not present).
After the service and the usual gathering and catching up that would follow I would be off home to kick back or to go watch a movie seeing as I didn't have time to go to the cinema during the week.When I quit going to church I would instead start the day by shopping for my groceries.Ooooh Spicebear, this is the confession that you were waiting for......I love Nakumatt (esp the Uhuru Highway branch).I know guys are not supposed to love shopping and I don't but that Nakumatt was my kryptonite.I could spend hours on end starting from the the far end where the shower, bedroom fixtures were to the main supermarket part (I swear as long as it had a name those people sold it!) and end up in the clothes and sports goods section (the clothes they had weren't all that but once in a while a good bargain could be found). Of course I could also never miss out on going to Books first! the book franchise that was in all Nakumatts.They had a book selection that was different from what was on offer at Book point and other book shops in Nairobi.Plus I did love the food!At that time Nakumatt used to have offers printed on the back of the receipts and once in a while I would get a B.O.G.O.F (Buy one get one free) offer for certain meals.Here is another fact about me, I am a sucker for those kind of offers.I remember a shoe shop once had such an offer so what I did is that I bought two pairs of the exact same shoe (people used to wonder how long lasting my shoes were!).So I would always haul over a pal to enjoy the free meal (I don't think a chic I would be trying to impress would think highly of a dude who pays half of his tab with a coupon).Back to Books First! again, I remember the business when it used to be ran from a small shop in parklands then it moved to Westlands where they began selling books wholesale till they got to the point they could run their own shops alongside that and I was with them the whole way (If you are good to me, you have a customer for life!).
Anway other then going shopping, I loved going for Sunday drives. I only used to go out of town when I was with pals (and someone else's car) but I loved going to places like Muthaiga and Village Market.I have lived in may parts of Nairobi ie from Buru, Golf Course, Madaraka, Spring Valley, Westlands, South C ( I guess my parents took the label upwardly mobile to heart) but the places that stayed with me longest were Westlands and Spring Valley so I tend to be attracted to quiet leafy areas.That is one reason I loved the drive to Village Market and hanging out there (even though it could put quite a dent in your wallet). I also loved going to Sarit Centre as it also holds many memories and as they expanded it there just happened to be more for me to do and see!I managed to get a complimentary for the gym there (I don't know if it is still open) and that is a gym and a half (indoor pool and all!).Oh it's here that I confess that I was quite a connoiseur of gyms (I guess that's what happens when you were a student of yoga and different martial arts and have to follow your teachers all over town!)
But let's not forget there was also the odd premiership game that I would have to get together with my pal's to watch over the weekends ie Man U vs Arsenal, Arsenal vs Liverpool, Liverpool vs Arsenal, Liverpool vs Man U then being the soccer afficianado that I was, if we didnt have female company with us we would also watch the La Liga matches after that.Then of course let's not forget the occasional visit to Ole Polos for nyam chom.Then of course there was always soul at K2 when it took over from Carni!I remember when Soul at Carnivore used to be the thing, do any of you have memories of having friend pass by your house around 8 or 9pm and ask you to accompany them on an errand only to find yourself in Carni with a t-shirt and a track suit?Damn those were the days!There is a urban legend of a chic who was at Soul in her pyjamas as her friends came to see her when she was just getting into bed and asked her to make a round with them but the veracity of that account is in question but it is a funny story none the less!But of course K2 got cocky and brought in the ticket thing at the door and like many Kenyans I am allergic to any form of an entrance fee so my pals and I took our business to ka-choi aka Choices (btw has anyone noticed how the decor of that place never changes?They are almost as bad as Jeans in Nairobi West which only changed when pubs in Nairobi West had to close by 11pm leaving people like Milo with no where to black out.That reminds me that I have to do a post about clubbing in Nai soonest!).
But Sunday adventures would always end early as there was work the next day.Now the million dollar question is when I come back to Kenya next year on holiday, are there any bloggers who are willing to sacrifice Sundays to hang out with me?
Before I go.....
A lady lost three panties in her house & blamed her maid
In front of the husband, the maid replied:

"Baba Mike.......si wewe unajua vizuri mimi hua sivai
suruali!!"