The scene: Outside work, heading to the gym. A boda-boda pulls up beside me.
The conversation:
Boda-boda driver: Raises his eyebrows while making eye contact with me.
Translation: “Would you care for a lift to your desired destination, sir?”
Chris: Raises eyebrows while making eye contact with boda-boda driver.
Translation: “That would be splendid.”
Chris, uttering the only words that would appear in this exchange: “Garden City”
Translation: “I am heading to Garden City. Let us now embark on a pleasant back-and-forth negotiation of this trip.”
Boda-boda driver: Raises three fingers
Translation: “I would be pleased to drive you there for a meager three thousand shillings.”
Chris: Raises his eyebrows in mock horror, and raises one finger.
Translation: “My good man, I know this trip costs only 1,000 shillings. I will have none of your shananagins.”
Boda-boda driver: Smiles
Translation: “Ahhh, you’re not a muzungu who I can take advantage of. Darn.”
Chris: Smiles
Translation: “No, no I am not.”
Boda-boda driver: Raises eyebrows
Translation: “Shall we begin our journey?”
Chris: Raises eyebrows
Translation: “Yes, let’s.”
Moral of the story: I’d have a killer six-pack if my abs got half the work-out my eyebrows do.
