Most days I walk home from work. Not only is this quicker than taking the taxis or poda podas (traffic!), it is almost always an adventure. Some days I walk in relative peace, ignoring the occasional "WHITE!" yelled out the window of a speeding poda poda or the men trying to get my attention by hissing and waving their arms.
Other days, someone (usually a male 20-30 years old) will "escort" me on my walk.
"Hello, white girl, hello. How are you?"
"Fine."
"What is your name?"
This is when I start to get weird. I don't like just anyone knowing my name, so sometimes I lie. I'll say Lizzy or Limsy or Lina, the 3 names people usually call me anyway. It is strange and probably wrong of me, but it makes me feel strong.
"Lizzy."
"Lizzy. What is your surname?"
"Wang." Kind of like Lange, but not. It just came to me. I know, I'm weird!
"Wain. Spelled W-A-I-N, not so? Do you know Lil Wayne? Like him, yes?"
"Yes." (trying not to laugh)
"You never asked my name."
"Because you are only talking to me because I am white, and I have people coming up to me everyday just because I am white." Just being honest.
"No no no, that is not the reason. I have taken a particular interest in you."
"Why? It is because I am white, isn't it?"
"Eh bo! This girl...No, not because you are white. You are special. I have taken a particular interest in you."
"You don't know me at all. All you know is that I am white."
Then he says something that reminds me that I can not go anywhere here without being noticed.
"I see you most days, but I don't talk to you because you are walking fast and look busy."
"Okay."
"So, shall we take lunch together tomorrow?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know you at all."
"But we can get to know each other. Is your family in the US?"
"Yes, but my husband is with me."
"Is he black or white?"
"White."
"Is he in the US or in Sierra Leone?" (READ: "Will he find out if we get together?")
"Sierra Leone."
"Ah, you are married. Have you given birth?"
"No."
"You are a young girl. But you promised your husband you would give birth sometime?"
"I'll have a child if I want to have a child."
"Eh! Oh, this girl..." (shakes head and laughs)
"So, you live in Lumley?"
I lie again. "Yes."
"Okay okay. So can I call you sometime?"
"No. My phone is just for work." Another lie.
"Okay, I can give you my number and you will call it."
"I won't call it."
"Why won't you call it?"
"Because I don't know you. Sorry."
"Eh bo! This girl...."
"Hello, white girl, hello. How are you?"
"Fine."
"What is your name?"
This is when I start to get weird. I don't like just anyone knowing my name, so sometimes I lie. I'll say Lizzy or Limsy or Lina, the 3 names people usually call me anyway. It is strange and probably wrong of me, but it makes me feel strong.
"Lizzy."
"Lizzy. What is your surname?"
"Wang." Kind of like Lange, but not. It just came to me. I know, I'm weird!
"Wain. Spelled W-A-I-N, not so? Do you know Lil Wayne? Like him, yes?"
"Yes." (trying not to laugh)
"You never asked my name."
"Because you are only talking to me because I am white, and I have people coming up to me everyday just because I am white." Just being honest.
"No no no, that is not the reason. I have taken a particular interest in you."
"Why? It is because I am white, isn't it?"
"Eh bo! This girl...No, not because you are white. You are special. I have taken a particular interest in you."
"You don't know me at all. All you know is that I am white."
Then he says something that reminds me that I can not go anywhere here without being noticed.
"I see you most days, but I don't talk to you because you are walking fast and look busy."
"Okay."
"So, shall we take lunch together tomorrow?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know you at all."
"But we can get to know each other. Is your family in the US?"
"Yes, but my husband is with me."
"Is he black or white?"
"White."
"Is he in the US or in Sierra Leone?" (READ: "Will he find out if we get together?")
"Sierra Leone."
"Ah, you are married. Have you given birth?"
"No."
"You are a young girl. But you promised your husband you would give birth sometime?"
"I'll have a child if I want to have a child."
"Eh! Oh, this girl..." (shakes head and laughs)
"So, you live in Lumley?"
I lie again. "Yes."
"Okay okay. So can I call you sometime?"
"No. My phone is just for work." Another lie.
"Okay, I can give you my number and you will call it."
"I won't call it."
"Why won't you call it?"
"Because I don't know you. Sorry."
"Eh bo! This girl...."
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3 comments:
Ahahaha, that is too funny! But also kind of creepy. I'm not sure I would have been as nice as you ;) PS: Happy (almost) Birthday!!
eh bo! what a conversation! I was laughing while I read it and took mental notes should i ever be in a position as you. I like the honesty amidst the lies to safegaurd (i.e. "because I don't know you. sorry.")
HILARES!!
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