My East African trek during COVID-19 times has been intense but mostly hilarious because of how the region has differently handled the pandemic. Rwanda, obviously, the leading kid in the area, with glasses and properly combed hair, has treated the period seriously and delicately. It goes without saying that in Rwanda, masks are compulsory, and all hands must be washed before accessing all facilities. Today, there are several services that one would not access without a valid COVID test and vaccination card. On a recent trip, my phone screen decided it was the best time to go black and stop working a few hours before my trip. To leave the airport these days, one needs about a total of five documents to go past the first security step, so my phones death came at such an untimely hour. I barely made it on the lane, and when I remember how much I suffered to find all these documents and finish my errands in time, I release a big sigh. What did I learn from this? Always print all your documents early enough if you can, because if you face the same fate as I did, you will most likely be left by the flight. Anyway, enter Nairobi. Upon arrival, you are required to show your passenger locator form and a negative COVID-19 test result. Past this, one is free to go and conduct whichever business they wish to. Once out of the airport, you may choose to wear your mask if it feels convenient. Masking up and sanitization are a must before entering malls, but masks arent that necessary once inside. The recently lifted curfew was more of a suggestion as people would still commute after the given hour. Lockdowns? What are those? The best part was how COVID (potential) patients are treated. No one is going to isolate you in a room (unless youre so severely off) or give you a GPS bracelet. You’ll get a pole and some over the counter meds, then the chemist will wish you a quick recovery. See? Simple. The freedom in the city regarding COVID-19 guidelines is humorous. But still stricter than our other friends next door. When I visited Uganda sometime back in September, I was so amused that the land borders (to Kenya) were operating, so I took a bus. And while we had arrived at 10 pm (supposedly three hours after curfew), we encountered a crazy traffic jam in one of the industrial cities. It was so amusing. However, I recently arrived by plane and had all my documents printed. They usually insisted that they needed somewhere to stamp. Interestingly enough, the officials were only interested in the negative COVID test and the yellow fever card upon arrival. Yes, guys, despite the pandemic, some people still remember yellow fever cards, so better keep yours safely. Also interesting is that one must take a mandatory test worth £30, but this is not news. The entertaining part of the process is that the payment tills had three staff, while the testing site had one. Priorities, right? This isnt all. You may leave the airport and go home before the test result, but you must show the payment receipt at least thrice before you exit. Find your priorities and stick to them. Once in a taxi (twegerane), a random guy insisted that he could not enter if no hand sanitizer was on board. The irony is that this dude had no mask on, haha. He read the first paragraph of the directive and his phone, like mine, blacked out before he had read the rest, I suspect. But again, why blame this one guy when masks are absolutely optional, both in public and private spaces? It has been fun tasting all these diverse cultures and on how they have handled the pandemic. I have had fun and enjoyed my most recent trips. Alas, I must now turn and get ready for my next journey. In approximately a week’s time I become a Mrs (or whatever the cool kids call it these days). Now, as a bride-to-be, I am confused by the way people look at me quizzically and wonder why I am not stressed or visibly excited. I’m not sure what others’ expectations are because my lack of anxiety (excitement), panic, and fatigue seems to upset many. I don’t know if I need to pluck some hair out or hop around like a rabbit because I am soon getting married! I don’t know who needs to hear this but, your wedding planning process is not the blueprint for others’. And before I turn this into another rant, yet this is probably the last one I write as a single lady, (woohoo), I am yet to research on the unrealistic expectations society has set for soon to be brides. For now, I have a gown to pick up from the drycleaning.
