Sam Pulls Through
Sam turns up in my office door, saying he has a place to view. I'm skeptical, but don't want to miss any leads. He promises it is nearby, in a good neighborhood and has good security. After work, we walk over. It's actually on my way home, just around the corner from TICH. I've walked and rode past this house every day on my way to work. Sikh Indians live in the main house. The guard lets us in and we sit on the front porch with the landlady.
Neighbors stop by. Sonya, the Mama from the house across the street, is with her husband, father-in-law, two daughters and a nephew who looks like a girl. Sikh males wear their hair long and wind it up under turbans. This little boy looks about two years and his hair is pulled into a pony tail with wisps floating around his face. Sonya says if I move in, I am invited to her brother-in-law's wedding celebration in a couple of weeks.
Mr. Ruprah comes out and we talk price and he says the place will come fully furnished, anything I need, “no problem. Is no problem.” He says “no problem” a lot and I like hearing it. I also like the little carriage house with its openness and brightness. It needs painting inside and out. “Is no problem. We paint. What color?” They plan to paint the exterior of their home and the carriage house beginning May 1. The paint is peeling away drastically and the purple band around the house has faded to gray, just like the gate. The entire house and compound will look fantastic with a new coat of paint.
I want to live here and sit on their verandah drinking tea and going to wedding parties.
Mr. Ruprah is asking 15,000 kshs per month and I ask if he can go lower. He says 14,000. I say let me check with VSO to see how much they're willing to pay. Over the next few days, I text Chris at VSO and he texts back and finally he says VSO will pay 10,000. I tell Mr. Ruprah I want to rent the place, that VSO will pay 10,000, that I'm willing to pay the difference from my own funds – but keep in mind I'm a volunteer. Can he come down on the price? He says 13,500 and I accept. We shake hands. (3,500 shillings is about $50 USD). They'll start painting the interior tomorrow, no problem.
They paint, two coats, and it's lovely, lovely, lovely.
Neighbors stop by. Sonya, the Mama from the house across the street, is with her husband, father-in-law, two daughters and a nephew who looks like a girl. Sikh males wear their hair long and wind it up under turbans. This little boy looks about two years and his hair is pulled into a pony tail with wisps floating around his face. Sonya says if I move in, I am invited to her brother-in-law's wedding celebration in a couple of weeks.
Mr. Ruprah comes out and we talk price and he says the place will come fully furnished, anything I need, “no problem. Is no problem.” He says “no problem” a lot and I like hearing it. I also like the little carriage house with its openness and brightness. It needs painting inside and out. “Is no problem. We paint. What color?” They plan to paint the exterior of their home and the carriage house beginning May 1. The paint is peeling away drastically and the purple band around the house has faded to gray, just like the gate. The entire house and compound will look fantastic with a new coat of paint.
I want to live here and sit on their verandah drinking tea and going to wedding parties.
Mr. Ruprah is asking 15,000 kshs per month and I ask if he can go lower. He says 14,000. I say let me check with VSO to see how much they're willing to pay. Over the next few days, I text Chris at VSO and he texts back and finally he says VSO will pay 10,000. I tell Mr. Ruprah I want to rent the place, that VSO will pay 10,000, that I'm willing to pay the difference from my own funds – but keep in mind I'm a volunteer. Can he come down on the price? He says 13,500 and I accept. We shake hands. (3,500 shillings is about $50 USD). They'll start painting the interior tomorrow, no problem.
They paint, two coats, and it's lovely, lovely, lovely.
posted by Cindi at 4:51 PM
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