Freebies!

Photo credit: My Snapchat Camera!

My colleague told me about this place where they provided free medical check-ups. It is on Friday afternoon, a slow time at the office so I decided to go. I had planned to go for a full medical check-up by the end of the year, just because it is important to know the state of your body. It is a good practice. . I walked to the place and when I arrived there, I was welcomed by two staff who were so happy to see me, I think it is in their job description to smile from ear to ear. They are pros at it though. Because they seem so genuine, their smile that is. They hand me a form to populate it, which I did. I was then led to the waiting area where there were like thirty people. Damn! Kenyans really like freebies, eyy? I wrote some words on my phone while waiting for my time to see a doctor. So here goes nothing. 

 

So, people are streaming in. 

Most of them look like low to the middle class - all lining up for free check-ups! 

I am listening to Ethan Muziki while in the queue, as I wait for my turn to see the doctor, my fingers are crossed it is nothing serious because I really have no resources to cater for something serious.

 

This place (I really cannot call this place a hospital, because it is not, so I will call it a wellness centre) have supplements and drugs that they are selling. So, you know what that means, I will be found with a makosa, because business has to business! Do you catch the drill?

Let me wait and see! 

 

Where I am sitting, my view is the Jamia Mosque. I see men streaming in, removing their shoes at the gate going ahead to pray. There are so many shoes at the gate. No sight of a security guard. I wonder if shoes get lost or stolen as they are not manned. As men stream in and out, i think of how beautiful it is that men are connected to God like that. Praying really is a powerful tool in navigating this thing we call life. As it brings you unexplained peace even through the storm. I remembered a point in my life, about two years ago when I was so aligned with my spirituality, and I miss those days. I am working to improve my prayer life. Somedays am at 100, other days I am at -10. But we move regardless. 

 

A couple seated next to me - in their 50s or 60s are speaking Kikuyu. The mamaa looks sick, the man looks like he legit loves her. But he looks like he is not one of those people who say out loud, but the guy that shows with action. For a proper 20 minutes, the guy held the mamaa’s handbag before his masculinity hit that he should not be doing so. He dramatically gave the mamaa the handbag ‘weee shika hii yako’ The mamaa received the bag giggling! 

 

'Next' Shouted a lady with a white Lab coat.

 

It was my turn. I entered the doctor’s room ready for my check-up, Praying and hoping I am moving around this street with a healthy body. 

 

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Update: Nothing serious was detected, Thank God.