my life...

I wish everyone would read what I am about to write! Having lived quite a while in Kenya, in Watamu, I have a lot to say, unlike those tourists I call “accidental” ones, who arrive on Thursday or Friday and stay a week or, for the “luckiest”, two. They play at being moralists and then are the first to complain about the food the Crystal Bay offers them. So where does your moralism go then? Only when your belly has to stuff itself, because that is what it is, it is not about nourishing yourself. They are people who did not stop for a second to talk to the people who work inside the resort, only with the infamous beach boys... who, by Watamu's own population, are considered the rich. Remember this: THE BEACH BOYS ARE THE RICH. Don't think they don't eat or that they are people to be trusted blindly. Their excursions have no insurance, their boats have had no maintenance etc...

I say this having spoken personally with one of them, who confessed all this to me. There must be a reason for a cost so much lower than the resorts, right? How many mouths do the beach boys have to feed? I'll answer you myself: that of the singular beach boy and of that bastard who sends him out to sell instead. Whereas how many mouths does the Crystal Bay resort have to feed? Again I'll answer: 136.

So how do we square that?! It is not that the beach boys know Kenya and the resort better, no, since Mrs Paola, otherwise known as Mama Euro, has lived there for years and relies on local people! A piece of live advice: don't play the cocky ones, the heroes, who, on reading a couple of negative words about people who do all they can to make your holiday as pleasant as possible, go off with the beach boys, who only spice it all up for you! I consider Mrs Paola like a mother; she helped me enormously, she is a professional and a professional in her work; above all, listen very carefully to the words she will say at the briefing, e.g. don't give money to children, don't trust person X to go and give support to orphanages, because remember that in Kenya, besides prostitution and drugs, there is also the orphanage business; rather, ask Mrs Paola.

Don't think that Kenya is a 100% safe place, but remember that poaching exists. Know that if you are able to respect it you will return to Italy like me with your heart in your hand; but always remember to RESPECT IT. After the years I have spent in Kenya I will miss it, and I hope to return very soon. Don't dwell on the words of the beach boys, who are there to sell you things and sometimes people, and these are often considered African. If only you could stop and talk to the people who work at the Crystal Bay, try asking them how they see the beach boys. I won't give you the answer.

They are the real Africans, who tell you that they are and always will be poor, but nobody will ever be able to take away their freedom and happiness, and above all their dignity!!!! If you want, bring something to give them, but ask at reception for the gate pass; don't give them money except at the end of the trip, since there is a common box at the time of payment. Bring them school supplies. A piece of live advice: go on the Meda Creek excursion and on the safari. I hope I have been of help; for any information I will be here! NB don't go with dollars and even less with euros, except to pay the 40 euros for the visa! Go there with your debit and credit card, and once you arrive in Watamu or Malindi you can go and withdraw money!!! A hug and good luck maisha marefu, as they say, and karibuni!!!! NB THE MOST DANGEROUS BEACH BOYS ARE PRECISELY MIMMO AND JAFFER, KNOWN AS ALI!!!!