Lake Victoria

Washing motor vehicles and bicycles is a common practice at the lake's edge. Naturally, oil falls off the vehicles and pollutes the water. Environmental issues are basically ignored in Kenya.




I see this guy in various places almost every time I pass through Kisumu. He seems to be totally oblivious to the rest of the world. Shoeless, he shuffles around the city streets obsorbed in his own thoughts. Interestingly, he always has a bottle of water with him. While we ate our fish, he simply stood here for about 30 minutes. Now and then he would move over a plastic chair a few inches. Basically, he just stared out at the lake and the rain. Everyone else just carried on with their business and ignored him. I think it would be interesting to know his life story.


Collins and I shared this large talapia, greens, and ugali - all eaten with our fingers. It was simply scrumptious! Talapia is a delicious fish and is especially so when cooked fresh! While we ate, a heavy downpour added to the environment. Rain came through the reed shingle roof in numerous places; all the many customers (including Collins and I) simply adjusted their locations accordingly.
Street boys came into the various crudely constructed cafes (about a dozen eateries all next to each other in a row) - either to scrounge leftovers or to attempt to stay dry. The cafe workers politely shooed them away now and then. For the most part, they were sympathetically tolerated.
Hawkers sellling everything from jumper cables to hats of various styles to jewelry to.... you name it.... strolled through the tightly situated tables. There was even a roaming tailor (with samples of his suits and a measuring tape hanging on his shoulder) and a roaming artist (with a sample of his paintings hanging from a string around his neck)!
A church group bravely conducted a baptism service in the lake - and the cold, windy rain! I admired their determination in spite of the weather! The service was accompanied by singing and a couple of drums and other traditional instruments. To me, it added a lot to the almost carnival-like atmosphere of the whole experience.
It's a memory Collins and I won't soon forget!