When I walked into Java on Koinange street a second time, it was because I had decided that I would review the place, spread the word and tell on them!
I chose a different seat this time, the empty couch on the side under the large painting of a street lined with houses; on the first house hung a sign written in Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, smelling cheese... I hoped that now, in my bright pink sweater, and in the middle of the room, I might be noticed sooner by the good waitresses.
My previous seat at the window was clearly way beyond their field of vision. They never ventured beyond the couched section...oh, except to the large group of men seated at the corner in meeting, I'm guessing. I took this for a few minutes, looking around and hoping to catch their eye, but alas, none looked my way. I doubt they even noticed when I stood up and made for the door thinking, 'this is actually true!' Only yesterday, a friend I was having lunch with appreciated the constant eye contact and communication by the waiting staff of Khaldi's and in the same breath, contrasted that to the 'bad' service at Java. Well, it had been a while since I'd been, but here I am today, witnessing the very same from Java.
I chose a different seat this time, the empty couch on the side under the large painting of a street lined with houses; on the first house hung a sign written in Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, smelling cheese... I hoped that now, in my bright pink sweater, and in the middle of the room, I might be noticed sooner by the good waitresses.
My previous seat at the window was clearly way beyond their field of vision. They never ventured beyond the couched section...oh, except to the large group of men seated at the corner in meeting, I'm guessing. I took this for a few minutes, looking around and hoping to catch their eye, but alas, none looked my way. I doubt they even noticed when I stood up and made for the door thinking, 'this is actually true!' Only yesterday, a friend I was having lunch with appreciated the constant eye contact and communication by the waiting staff of Khaldi's and in the same breath, contrasted that to the 'bad' service at Java. Well, it had been a while since I'd been, but here I am today, witnessing the very same from Java.
'Excuse me', I whispered at the waitress leaving the table behind me in the next row of couches...she did not hear me. She suddenly turned and I thought, 'finally...!' But she went to the table she had come from, he apparently had whispered louder than I had...
'Excuse me!'
'EXCUSE ME!' I now shout.
'I'm afraid you may never notice me if I don't shout', I told the waitress.
'I'd like to have breakfast please' I said feeling the attitude gushing into my voice.
'Excuse me!'
'EXCUSE ME!' I now shout.
'I'm afraid you may never notice me if I don't shout', I told the waitress.
'I'd like to have breakfast please' I said feeling the attitude gushing into my voice.
Flashback.
I had woken up at 5:38am and rushed out of the house without breakfast, noticed that the car had a slight puncture but drove off anyway to the supersonic Syokimau Train, got there just as the last empty seat got filled, stood at the corner in couch number 1 for all of 25 minutes before the train took off, tried to catch some sleep but this tall boy with earphones on kept stepping on my toes. Then eventually stumbled out the train, panting for air when we got to Nairobi because the train was packed to more than capacity today (should have taken pictures but there was no room to bend and pick my bag that I'd placed on the floor behind my knees) and the tiny little window in my corner opened just that much. I ran into Apondo's for a take-away mandazi and sausage that I planned to eat on the taxi to Gigiri. I had a meeting at 8:30am (the reason why I had to take the 6:55 train) and I could't be late. Then just as I ran out of Apondo's I ran into a platoon of riot police jumping out of their minintruck and think....ooooookaaaay! 'I need to walk faster than this...' the streets are clear, not a matatu in sight and I think, 'here's the perfect oportunity for UK to cleanse the streets of matatus and get us proper, planned, timely and disciplined public transport! ' and ran across the street at the roundabout and infront of yet another police minitruck.
I had woken up at 5:38am and rushed out of the house without breakfast, noticed that the car had a slight puncture but drove off anyway to the supersonic Syokimau Train, got there just as the last empty seat got filled, stood at the corner in couch number 1 for all of 25 minutes before the train took off, tried to catch some sleep but this tall boy with earphones on kept stepping on my toes. Then eventually stumbled out the train, panting for air when we got to Nairobi because the train was packed to more than capacity today (should have taken pictures but there was no room to bend and pick my bag that I'd placed on the floor behind my knees) and the tiny little window in my corner opened just that much. I ran into Apondo's for a take-away mandazi and sausage that I planned to eat on the taxi to Gigiri. I had a meeting at 8:30am (the reason why I had to take the 6:55 train) and I could't be late. Then just as I ran out of Apondo's I ran into a platoon of riot police jumping out of their minintruck and think....ooooookaaaay! 'I need to walk faster than this...' the streets are clear, not a matatu in sight and I think, 'here's the perfect oportunity for UK to cleanse the streets of matatus and get us proper, planned, timely and disciplined public transport! ' and ran across the street at the roundabout and infront of yet another police minitruck.
Twaf! Twaf! Twaf! And all the Kenyans around me run!
'Nkt! Why am I going through this again!' I ask loudly as I run into the Nakumat entrance and across to Tom Mboya street and away from the matatu drama. 'Mscheeeew!'
I walk all the way to Old Nation Roundabout, looking for a taxi... apparently, they all are on strike too, plus the road to Globe Roundabout has been blocked by strategically parked matatus so no vehicle can get into or out of town from this end. So save for a bodaboda, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna be seen on one in town, let alone Westlands and Gigiri (Syoki is another world altogether...*wink), looks like I am not going to make my meeting.
'Nkt! Why am I going through this again!' I ask loudly as I run into the Nakumat entrance and across to Tom Mboya street and away from the matatu drama. 'Mscheeeew!'
I walk all the way to Old Nation Roundabout, looking for a taxi... apparently, they all are on strike too, plus the road to Globe Roundabout has been blocked by strategically parked matatus so no vehicle can get into or out of town from this end. So save for a bodaboda, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna be seen on one in town, let alone Westlands and Gigiri (Syoki is another world altogether...*wink), looks like I am not going to make my meeting.
I cross over past Jevanjee and to Nakumat lifestlye and talk to a mzee taxi man and ask why they are on strike. It's something about the cost of running their business with the newly hiked fees and Kanju requirements etc, etc.
Then I call the client who proceeds to rant at me in a very solid Indian accent, when I tell him I can find no transport out of town, 'Sorry?' I keep repeating into the phone, can't quite make out what he's saying but his voice is raised so it can't be too good. He finishes with I should 'be here at 2:30pm'. Sigh.
Then another rant when I report to the boss that there is no transport out of town and with that, I am good and ready for breakfast.
Then another rant when I report to the boss that there is no transport out of town and with that, I am good and ready for breakfast.
Back to now...
'Down Diva! Down!' I tell myself. It's not her fault that management has employed only three of you to work mornings.
'Yes, please bring me the menu'.
She was sweet...almost sorry for her 'near sightedness' and there was no way I was going to unleash my attitude on the poor tired girl. And it is still morning, poor thing, she has the rest of the day ahead of her.
'I'd like something ready real quick...' she said anything would take about 10 minutes to prepare.
'Down Diva! Down!' I tell myself. It's not her fault that management has employed only three of you to work mornings.
'Yes, please bring me the menu'.
She was sweet...almost sorry for her 'near sightedness' and there was no way I was going to unleash my attitude on the poor tired girl. And it is still morning, poor thing, she has the rest of the day ahead of her.
'I'd like something ready real quick...' she said anything would take about 10 minutes to prepare.
The tea checked onto my table in four and the homefries, two eggs and toast in less than 10.
She came over to ask if everything was alright in another 5.
I think Khaldi's should poach her. I have her name if you'd like...
She came over to ask if everything was alright in another 5.
I think Khaldi's should poach her. I have her name if you'd like...
Ps. There goes my breakfast date...
Pss. Mandazi and sausage for lunch!
Pss. Mandazi and sausage for lunch!
