THE TRAVEL CONNOISSEUR
By Felix Achanda
My holiday to Mombasa as you may recall was marred by confusion at a railway station after a passenger mistook his / her luggage for mine.
Despite the devastation of losing grand equipment and great outfits alongside my backpack, I held myself together and hopped into a city center bound bus.
As I was wandering in the streets of Mombasa, I bumped to an old pal. After greetings, I narrated my ordeal to him and like a good friend; he took me to a convenience store where I replaced my missing baggage. He also guided me to restaurants with amazing Swahili food. He then led me to a beach for swimming.
After swimming, I began drawing castles on the sand. That was in every aspect, the most jovial moment in my life.
After spending a good time, and literally making up my previously botched attempts at a perfect holiday, it was time to go back to Nairobi. My friend escorted me to the bus station. He was particular about bus companies and he finally recommended one that he described as“ the best” of all companies that ply the Nairobi – Mombasa route.
At the bus booking office, an attendant took my luggage to the vehicle boot as another escorted me to my seat.
Everything in the bus was rightly done. The seats were well padded and spaced thus allowing maximum comfort.
A friend helps me forget botched holiday attempts
Passengers have luxury to even recline the seats. To add to it, the bus was air conditioned, shielding passengers from hot environment outside and guaranteeing conducive environment throughout the journey.
I was feeling thirsty and I thought it a noble idea to get bottled water before the journey started. I was about to leave my seat when the bus hostess started handling free water to passengers.
Once we departed, I was delighted to see amazing scenes of the city I had not seen in my train journey. When we got to the outskirts of the city, I saw a free WIFI signage on the bus. I reached for my phone and logged to my favoritewebsite. A battery low warning two hours into the journey dampened my mood but I was rejuvenated when my coach mate handed his charger when he noted my situation.
Midway through the journey the hostess asked me what I could like to buy for lunch, I requested for lemonade and cookies. I was dazzled when the hostess moments later served me cookies and partly frozen juice. The meal especially the humour
juice was soothing as it was yummy.
When the hostess returned and enquired if I needed anything else, I told her that maybe earphones could have aided me listen to music without disturbing other passengers but mumbled to her not to be bothered by my request.
To my disbelief and excitement, the lady come back with her own earphones and reassured me she didn’ t need them while on the journey so I could use them and return them to her once the journey was over.
It must have been the good music selection from the radio I was listening, for I had the hostess tap me gently and notify me that we had reached our destination. I unplugged the earphones and thanked her for her generosity as but as I handed them to her she told me to keep them since she had another pair.
I disembarked from the bus and one of the booking agents helped me carry my luggage to my estate matatu station and wished me a safe journey.
As long as my pal resides in Mombasa, passengers and staff in the bus I was travelling remain pleasant, I will be returning to Mombasa soon.
This story is fiction. September 2017 35