I've just completed my most arduous and daunting task of recent weeks. Between the hours of 18:30 and 21:30, my primary mission involved the perfect balance of entertainment and discipline. I wasn't able to let my guard down for even a second. The smallest of errors on my part and my charge could easily vanish, inflict serious bodily injury or much, much worse.
I was babysitting.
Yes, it is difficult to believe that someone out there would trust me with a child, but it's true.
I have always said parenthood is the most underrated of professions and my theory is always supported with extended contact with little ones. However, I do have to admit that as an 'aunt' things are pretty easy in that you can give them back when things get to be too much! (But they really never do, and the best thing about diplomatic negotiations with a two-year old is it's usually pretty easy to get them to accept what you know they don't want, it's all in the presentation and delivery - with that said, you’d notice I didn't say always!)
For those of you that don't know, I have returned to the UK, where I have been living for just over a year now, and I have to confess that I was dreading the return. London is an extremely isolating city and I have found only a few locals that exhibit anything resembling warmth, compassion or sensitivity.
However, with that said I have also met some incredibly lovely people since I've been here and I also completely understand that life in London, with 7.5 million people living in a wee (compared to Canadian cities), congested and expensive space can be stressful and I am yet another newcomer. ('I need to stay longer,' I've been told)
I do have to admit that it's great to be back. It's finally summer! And among the plethora of daily and nightly activities, there are festivals every weekend.
When I left at the end of April, winter was just departing and London was just starting to thaw.
In fact, two days before I departed for Africa I went to the final Synergy Project for the season and it was a great send off. Not only was it fun, but also an incredible juxtaposition to the Kenyan environment I found myself in 48 hours later. About 2000 people under London Bridge Station all dancing until the early hours with minimal alcohol, an incredible array of music and activities, as well as about 14 different NGOs promoting causes from anti-war to climate change.
It was my second event with them, and though I'm a little biased as I'd been volunteering with their media team for a few months, I can honestly say their events are fantastic! (I have a few more images here if you are curious)With my return, I found myself in a similar contrasting adventure on Carnaby Street, shooting stills for a Nokia commercial with both a director and producer I've worked with on a few different projects as photographer and producer/AP. It's was comparatively glam, and the cast and crew very friendly.
Whereas days prior, I was admiring downtown Nairobi shrouded in litter from its western outskirts, amidst a scattered crowd of coal workers and vegetable vendors on my way to see some of the wildlife in the city's national park.
I confess to feeling caught between two worlds. I miss Nairobi and the people I've met there. There is a warmth and sincerity to the Kenyans and Ugandans I haven't felt for quite some time. I'm not sure if it's the fact that religion is such a dominant part of the culture or if it's because consumerism hasn't jaded everyone's perspective on what one 'needs' to have.
What struck me, virtually everywhere I went was, how happy nearly everyone seemed; whether it was kids playing with milk-carton trucks with bottles caps for tires or the head of the transport union waiting patiently for hours for the film crew. There appeared to be a glaze of pleasantry and general contentment I don’t often see in the west.
To put things into context with an example, I took my friend from the slum to the theatre. It was the first time she'd been since her 18th birthday, she is now 28, and she'd never tried any of the chocolate bars at the refreshment counter.
I felt as though I complained from the time I met her. First because the matatu was taking so long due to traffic. Then because I had to pay at 3 different counters at the fast food place. And again when they didn't have change for our chocolate bars. When the movie started 15 minutes late I became agitated and after a mobile telephone went off for the 15th time (no exaggeration) during the movie, I walked across the theatre and politely asked him to turn it off and then when it rang 3 more times I was pleased that I refrained from a more extreme response.
Now lets compare the two of us. One of us has left an abusive husband and is raising a small child alone in one of the poorest areas in Nairobi while living in a one-room shack with her grandmother, surrounded by neighbors that beat their kids and play the radio until late in the night. The other is getting paid to travel around the country and take pictures, able to return to either London or Canada with supportive friends and family at any time.
What is wrong with this scenario?