Backpacking Through Africa 28 – Another "Jambo"

 On my way to the Ugandan embassy, an Indian man with slimy lips stopped me and asked in a seductive voice if I wanted to be his friend. He looked at my pants with watery eyes. Despite the heat, Africans rarely wear shorts.

My tone must not have been very inviting when I looked at him fiercely and asked what he meant. "Oh, just asking," he apologized before quickly scurrying off.

I sat on a roadside wall, checking if my toes were getting blisters from my flip-flops. 

"Jambo bwana!" A not-so-young man, sat next to me, introduced himself as a veterinary student, and was deeply honored to meet me. When I assured him I didn’t mind, he invited me for a drink.

Janin Klemenčič (to be continued)

Backpacking Through Africa 27

 Faced with these new facts, their demands decreased: Could I at least buy them an  essen  (meal—the only German word the future German students knew) ?

When they realized that even this wish would go unfulfilled due to my dire financial state: my story is just as tragic, and I would be grateful if they could spare some shillings and help me.

They suddenly had urgent business elsewhere. Before I could even pay for the drink they had invited me to, they were gone.

Janin Klemenčič (to be continued)

Backpacking Through Africa 26 – Fugitives in Need

 
You see, I am coming from poor Yugoslavia, which recently collapsed, war still rages, and Slovenia is in great danger. Due to my low income, I had to save for years to afford this trip and barely have enough money.

In short, my story is just as tragic as theirs, and I would be grateful if they could spare some shillings and help me. .

Janin Klemenčič (to be continued)

Backpacking Through Africa 25 – Fugitives in Need

 
They themselves no longer dared to return, and since they were broke, they’d be very grateful if I could financially support their trip to Tanzania. After all, they were among Uganda’s most promising students— and, as mentioned, we were practically colleagues.

The situation was now much clearer to me.

Alright, let’s go then! 

 Janin Klemenčič (to be continued)