The lighter side: Kampala oba Nairobi?

It is a bright Friday morning, it is rather hot than usual in Kabowa. It is calm and I could only hear the voices of children playing outside. I notice that there is something missing from my usual daily routine in Nairobi, but I am not complaining. I am on leave and I have to make use of the time left in Kampala. So I prepare for the bright day. On my way to the City, I board a taxi that really touched my heart for waiting for me to walk slowly and waited for me to sit down before it set off something that is termed as wastage of time and money in Nairobi. Suddenly something strange tells me that I am in the wrong place. Everyone is very smart including the driver and the conductor. The lady I sat next to offers me a comb to at least comb out my so natural hair that I thought was fashionable. I was embarrassed to turn down her offer due to her natural goodness. So I quickly came up with this idea, ‘wibale nyo nyabo (thank you) am headed to the salon” I said. My friend called Daisy had told me that they sell very nice outfits in kamu kamu shopping mall and I had to check it out. I called for a boda –boda. This is the first person I am seeing smoking in Uganda. When I commented that to him he said that Uganda is full of educated men and women who say that how stupid can one get, it is written so well that cigarette smoking is harmful to ones health and you go ahead and do it. Then I promised myself that I would take the slogan to Nairobi. I went into one of the exhibition shops at kamu kamu and I think I did not look like a potential buyer whatsoever. The attendant just looked at me as I went round the shop. She was smiling though but if it was back home, she would be standing trying to convince me that my rounded body shape would fit any outfit I chose no matter how untrue that was. Surprisingly, her smile, politeness and her genuine nature made me part with 150,000ush. The boda boda man standing outside the building asked whether I would ride on but I wanted to walk. Mostly in Nairobi he was justified to ask me then why did I look at him in the first place if I dint need one but instead he told me to have a lovely day and added that he mistook me for a western Ugandan. When I asked why, he said that it was something to do with my size which left me wondering whether it was really a compliment. Anyone who has been to Nairobi would bear witness that Kampala is peaceful, quiet and inviting. It is only in Kampala where one boards a taxi and actually the conductor says hallo. In Nairobi he would tell you not to stand at the stage if you are not ready to literally jump and board while it is still on motion. Hey, Kigali will be for another time. Ends