Analogies of Africa

There is an African proverb that goes like this:

Every morning in Africa a gazelle awakens knowing it must today run faster than the fastest lion or it will be eaten. Every morning a lion awakens knowing it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It matters not whether you are a gazelle or a lion, when the sun rises you had better be running.

Sitting in an over-sized plush armed chair in the posh and tightly secured lobby of the InterContinental Hotel Nairobi I am eagerly anticipating a meeting with a delegate from the African Union. The lobby is a buzz with foreign guests seeking meetings with the African and Kenyan elite. The slick marble floor reflects an annoying and eye squinting glare. I am uncertain what to expect.

Jina langu ni Matt

Matt: Habari yako
Driver: nzuri
Driver: na wewe je
Matt: nzuri pia

I think I accomplished the some embryonic dialogue with our driver as he laughs and drives away.

Kiswahili lessons with a jolly Kenyan named Ezekiel. My opportunity to learn some actual Swahili phrases other than just sawa sawa (fine fine) and sema (talk to me). Our introduction a brief history of Africa, swahili and the root of the endless number of African languages.