Once again, we got up close and personal with Chinese construction companies. As we sat in a matatu on our way to Village Market (the mall near the UN) for a meeting, we suddenly jolted forward. A huge dump truck with “China Wu Yi” was blocking the road.

We were in the middle of a crowded informal market and the truck decided it was going to dump an entire load of dirt and sand onto the sidewalk where people had their stands. The locals that worked the stands covered their goods in plastic but refused to move their businesses (rightfully so). Unfortunately fo rhtem, the dump truck did not mind the market-goers and continued to pour dirt all over the walkway. The matatu waited and when the truck was finished, attempted to weave around the truck. Now, the road is very narrow in this market and the truck is sideways across the road, taking up the entire space. So, the matatu tempts fate and tries to bypass the truck. Not a smart move.

The truck lurches forward and swipes the side-mirror off the matatu. Now all hell breaks loose and the matatu driver gets out of the car and begins to scream at the truck driver. Kyla and I contemplate getting out of the car and catching a different vehicle, but the crowd grows quickly and it becomes clear that it is safer to stay in the matatu than get out. After about seven minutes, they come to some type of agreement, the matatu driver gets back in and we continue our journey as if nothing happened.

Just another day in Nairobi, researching Chinese companies first-hand.

Kyla working hard in our new apartment :)