This weekend it struck me that Nottingham and Mombasa are not all that different. We were walking along the streets in the city of Mombasa. Now reading this you may think that sounds idyllic but with two boys it is a mixture of moaning about the heat and the nearly there yet question featuring quite frequently. However your senses are fully alive as there is so much that is so different from our city centre back home. So many vibrant colours, different smells, incredible variety of people and the awesome relief of crossing manically busy roads and still being alive!
There was a lady sat on the pavement with a little cup to collect coins. I looked at her and greeted her. Wow, her face lit up with the most beautiful smile and an element of surprise that she had been spoken to. This reminded me so much of a time in Nottingham when I had been doing a shift at the homeless drop in. I greeted one of the visitors with a smile and a usual hello, how are you? I was moved when he told me that I was the first person to speak to him that week.
I suppose I feel saddened that this is something that big cities world wide share in common. Please understand I am not making a judgement here. It just got me thinking this simple greeting didn't cost me anything, so why so many times have I just rushed past people without even a hello?
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