I was walking past a large crowd in Tala’s market the other day when I heard a man yell…
It means “Jesus has returned! How are you, Jesus?” Haha! The large crowd had gathered for some small entertainment (juggling, music, traditional medicines… who knows) but they all stopped to look and laugh when their front man stopped the show to point me out. I just said, “Mzuri sana” and my friend and I walked off laughing.
Last week I did a little handiwork around the house, adding curtains to a few bare windows. This week I added some Tibetan prayer flags to the overhang on my front porch, check it out:
I know it’s not much, but they really look pretty when the wind blows. Randi found them at the “bins” in Portland (a place where everyone’s old crap goes, and you can sort through them, pick out what you want, and pay by weight). I can see them through the trees from clear across campus when I look towards my house. As always (well, most always), Wikipedia has something very nice to say about Tibetan prayer flags, and as usual it’s better than I could do:
Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to ‘gods,’ a common misconception, rather the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.
I’m not a Buddhist but I’m down with compassion. Have a nice day. :)
Alan
Today I’m going to be fitting some curtains on some bare windows in my shack in Tala, Kenya. One window in particular, in the hallway leading to the bathroom, is quite scary to walk by at night when it’s light inside and dark outside; only God knows who is outside peeking in. I have nice bars on my windows, so I’m not afraid anyone’s going to break in, but it still creeps me out!
I went to the market and talked to a few fundis (“fundi” is the Swahili word for someone with a trade, like plumbing, tailoring, etc) about making some simple curtains. I don’t need anything special, as this place is pretty much a bachelor’s pad since Sara left (haha). I was quickly directed to the area of the market where all America’s old crap goes. After digging through the piles of old clothes, sheets, etc I found a large curtain that would fit the bill. I handed the lady 180 shillings ($2.50) and I was off!
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