One of the other volunteers is leaving next week so tonight was going to his last night at the British High Commission ‘pub’ so if figured it was a good excuse to go over and join in.
When I arrived I found that they had a new system in place and unlike before where you had to sign in now your name had to be on the members list before you can go to the bar. Considering I have been going on and off for the last three months, I have a drinks card at the bar and all the other volunteers are members, I was suprised when the security guard told me I was NOT a member. After a brief exchange of polite words, I was finally let in.
Upon entering the bar we were met by a dog!! I and another volunteer are terrified of dogs so we were a bit hesitant. The owner of the dog, who is an expat High Commission staff member and for that night was working behind the bar turned to me and said
” You will be ok the dog is African too”
I can not comment on his reasons for making that statement but I fail to understand the logic behind it. Irrespective of the dogs nationality, ancestry, surname, blood group or whatever we are not the same species and to expect me to feel at home with this creature on the basis that it is African made me feel as though he was implying that we were of the same species.
I finally got to the actual bar and was about to order a drink when the other expat type lady apologised to me about the issue at the entrance, she said my name was on the list (and my she should have shut up right about here!) but she did not know my surname (rubbish because my card behind the bar has both my names) and she went on to say it was hard enough remembering what my first name was and then went on to make funny noises and odd variations on my name.
Now I accept to a non-Kenyan person and in some cases non-Kikuyu people the name Kui can be a bit tricky to grasp because the u is pronounced as an o but other than that I do not see what issue anyone would have with a three letter name especially when people in Engalnd are able to spell and pronounce the name Siobhan (pronounced Sheevon!). And even if you find it difficult to pronounce my name I doubt making fun of my name is the best way to go about.
I got my drink and sat down and no sooner had a taken a sip the telephone at the bar rang and African dog man picked it up. It was the security guard asking if I had got in ok (??) and African dog man was relaying the message across the bar. Apparently the guard was asking for a lady with dreadlocks and African dog man shouted out;
“Is there a lady here with dreadlocks? Bob Marley”
I can clearly say that going to the British High is like trampling on my ancestors’ grave and I never want to return.
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Jessica says
Hi!
i’ve been reading your journal every week with real interest ‘cos I’m going to Belize for CWW next year hopefully. Thank you – you’ve really helped me get an idea of what Belize is like and you seemed to have achieved so much as well. I am absolutely appalled at how you were spoken to at the High Commission. My jaw dropped when I read it. Don’t know if I’ll have to go there but I won’t forget your story.
Anyway enjoy your last few weeks! have fun, Jessica
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mentalacrobatics says
Hell no. That is complete b*******t. We can get into a discussion on why the hell a section of British expats no matter where they are on this planet end up being the biggest bigots of them all looking down on the local population yet would never ever pack up and come back to “good old Blighty� but we’d just end up frustrated and in circles. Take your money elsewhere Kui they certainly do not deserve it.
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Mich says
I agree completely, its not worth you putting up with that for a place to drink. You’re unlikely to make an impression by taking issue with it so just go somewhere else.
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Wahu says
Oh oh this painful, once again I am sitting in the library and groaning with disgust. Where did that idiot get it from, that the dog ancestry’s in question? I tell you some people need the stocks and then pelt them with dry old buns and rotten tomatoes and maybe a bit of their s**t to feel what it is to be so disrespected. Then the one about your name, oh boy you must feel like you are being put through the wringer by all these idiots.
Mapenzi Wahu
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Kui says
Jessica..Thanks – I hope you enjoy your time in Belize.
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Black River Eagle says
Unfortunately I have not had the time to review your blog postings regularly over the past few months, but I do hope to be able to do some catching up soon.
The British High Commission probably would not be very pleased with your treatment as described in this posting. Perhaps it would be a good idea on your part to inform them officially, so that these type of racist incidents don’t happen without any reprecussions in the future, in Belize or elsewhere.
In regards to the “Pig” bartender and his African dog “Sambo” described in your article, I personally would have escorted both of them out of the High Commission Club to the nearest deep water alcove and drowned them both.
Of course, this would not be recommendable behaviour for a lady like yourself, a U.K. attorney no less.
I would not have spent even a night in jail for carrying out the service for the people of Belize, Kenya, or the U.K for that matter. My plea in court would be “temporary insanity…but I’m feeling O.K. now, thank you Your Honor.” In Belize we could win on such a plea, believe me.
Kui Says: Mr Eagle, I did think about writing a letter but upon I reflection I doubt much would be done. I would probably get the standard letter which always looks like this:
‘ We at the [insert name of organisation] take allegations of [insert whatever ‘ism] very seriously. We at [insert name of org] pride our selves as [insert bog standard equal opportunities/PC blurb]. We are saddened by your experience. We shall speak with [insert name of alleged ‘ist] and can assure that such an incident shall not be repeated. While this is no way shall compensate you for your experience please accept [vouchers/tickets/stamps or any other such item that shall ensure you continue to spend money/visit their place].
I am have taken Mental Acrobatic’s advice; I simply won’t go back.
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Kaki says
I have to say kui you are a better woman that I cauz I would have cut up and gotten hella ghetto
I have such low tolerance for BS these days and that could have just pushed me to another level I would definitely say would set us back a tad as a people
As MentalAerobics said I always dismayed with the attitudes of many expats and even missionaries in developing nations.
I can say much more but Christmas is approaching and I want Santa to be good to me.
It is just by Grace that some of us Representatives of the Most High ama we would be wrecking havock on earth.
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Kaki says
My apologies to Mental Acrobatics for mispelling your name. A major opps. Aerobics/Acrobatics same thing LOL
Kui Says ROFLMAO