Teens ‘having fun’

Holiday makers have always been some of the most loyal attendees of the expo. Incidentally, this time of the year (August) finds them home, which has perhaps given them more reason to crowd the Gikondo grounds. “We missed gigs like the recent Primus “Guma Guma”, but at least found the expo rolling,” says Yvonne Bamutesi Dede, a student at Apred Ndera secondary school. “We can’t afford to miss the music, the circus, ice-cream, and more fun. I also enjoy seeing my buddies fall with bottles of beer, since I personally don’t drink,” she adds. The 19-year-old student said she decided to skip part of her holiday coaching due to the tempting expo “I hope mummy doesn’t read this,” she says. Mark Nyarwaya says he enjoys draining the Bell Larger (beer) promotional stall. “We most often take Bell because it is cheaper here. The music is hard and people dance crazy; you know what it is!” he exclaims. One of last year’s miming crew at the BRALIRWA stall, Babu Ishimye says he enjoys working at the expo where he meets teens. He says: “I couldn’t sell medicine, crafts and such boring stuffs even with good pay. I enjoyed performing at a beer stand; where students go merry and ask me to the podium to dance along, yeah! That’s what an artist loves most!” “And by the way, I still meet girls in town and they scream, ‘Hey Puppy, we saw you dance great at the Expo; would you like to join our party?’ but, I seldom say yes, of course,” Babu explains. Some other students have no better spot to meet their former school mates and friends. Teens like Didier Murindabigwi, says he attends the expo confident that he will meet friends. “Today, I met a couple of friends who study from Uganda. Surprisingly, we last met at last year’s expo, at the same venue, hmmn!” he says, surprised. Some teens are serious buyers; like Emelin Gashumba, from Lycee Notre Damme de Citeaux. She is attracted to rare crafty products like woven bags, bracelets, sandals made of hides and house decoration. “I like Kenyan products, like Bracelets, sandals; they are really cool. I save enough money for the expo, to pack them back to school,” Gashumba says. Whatever, teens are doing at the expo, they seem to be making the most out of it. Ends