MOMBASA BY FOOT:A MESSY STOP OVER CALLED MTITO

An aerial view of Mombasa city from a building.A group of communication students had a great experience on their way to the historic centre.

The Longest Journey Ever was a competition topic testing on essay writing prowess. That was twenty years ago when I was a form one. It was an exciting venture to compete with finalists as a mono. I reminisce how we vowed to outshine the bullies. At least we had a fair forum that could test on mental muscles.

An experience recently, triggered the memories and yes if only my young mind could have conceived or foreshadowed this!

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We had battled with the "system" for weeks over our educational trip. It took the muscles of divisive utterances and mistrust to see the 'favour granted'. Those who embraced moderation were handled with suspicion and even termed 'traitors'. Radicals,extremists and their cliques on the other hand felt that patriots and 'real fighters' were well earned names. Luckily, after the goal realisation, animosity faded away. The excitement of touring the coast reignited the team of young academicians.

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Bus trip could never be better! Making fun of each other,laughing , spending. Yes spending. Cash was flooding. Allowances from the school, betting,parents, partners all the sources had been exploited! The trip was 'academic' and no one could dare fail supporting it.

After a long day crisscrossing counties. A stopover was inevitably handy.Mtito Andei was the spot for the first night. It's strategic location and economic significance between the two cities required attention. With clear instructions, it was the first site/beat. No rest, night study was mandatory. Early next morning we had to head to the destination.

This was the life-changing memory point. No one could have conceived any nitty gritty until;

A superb offer on food was so nice to shy off from.We utilized a certain affordable meat joint and recommended it to the rest.(We were in groups). Their meat was not only cheap (verily verily affordable) but also plenty. A pocket friendly place is an all-time bait to comrades! So we indulged with relish...

Violating the rules, we booked rooms.( We were supposed to work overnight,nocturnal.) And like as fate would have it,veeery cheap,extremely affordable. Who boards a room for three bucks a night?

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All was well until the urge to sleep became nagging. Hasty shower and burying oneself into the blankets was a maddening desire.

And the kings of the jungle couldn't wait longer! Piercings,itchiness,the beds were infested!!! The bugs were in rows and the damn insects were starving miniatures!!!!

Withdraw from the facility cursing and spitting was the best experience! The campus bus proudly hosted us securely till dawn.

Waking up so early, worn out, tired and sleepy,the problems were just beginning. A good number had 'pinching stomachs.We resolved to have breakfast hoping all would be well. A miscalculated thought,a lossy wish. We were just making the story juicer!

Our kickoff was at dawn, as we were aware of the traffic jams. We had to make it to the coast city. After an hour ride, the stomachs issues escalated. Running.

We utilized the best skills of negotiation to make the drivers stop. The number of DRIVERS had risen! And the bus drivers had to stop for the rest of us to 'drive'!

At the beginning, the first stop appeared normal,short calls can't make anyone raise brows. The frequency changed. Common culprits. Whispers. And analysts noted a similarity! Only guests to the messy butchery were moving.

Traffic jam on our side,the speed was checked a great relieve. Running up and down the bus. Longer distances were covered by foot than bus!

Out of the bus, the nearest bushes were experiencing 'over-fertilisation'. The bushes were blushing over witnessing needy scholars surrounding them in all directions. With a running stomach privacy was the last thing to care about. No one gave a damn who the neighbors were nor their gender!

A great comrade had a brand new roll of Toilex and gladly he was positioned on the front seat. He saved the day.

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By the time we were getting into the coastal city, the enthusiasm was hampered and limped by the experience.