Cause this is Africa, Africa...

Short stories from Africa.


I am at the bar in the Village hotel. The phone rings, I answer "Village Main Bar"
phone: "bla bla bla" 
me: "Sorry, could you speak English please?" 
phone: "Who are you?" 
me: "I am Ilse, and who are you?" 
phone: "Caroline" 
me: "Yes Caroline, tell me." 
phone: "I would like to speak to somebody" 
me: "sorry???" 
phone: "Yes, I would like to speak to somebody". 
me: "So? You already speak with somebody, I am somebody." 
phone: "but no..." 
me: "Yes, I am somebody! But maybe you would like to speak to the barman. Then just simply ask: Can I speak the barman please?" 


The son of the Belgian council has heard the whole conversation and remarks: "yes,... some education here would be a good case!"



After 8 months I have been driving a car. It was strange: steering wheel was on the wrong side, all buttons have been swopped and underneath a pedal was missing. Just not to say anything about all those people driving on the wrong side of the road. But... I haven't made any lump.



Reception, an Indian lady asks something at the (new) local receptionist. 
She doesn't know the answer so I help her: "No madam, our tarifs haven't changed this month". 
The Indian lady looks at me and says: "Oh sorry, I didn't know you speak English, you are white..."