Kongowea Fashions

I have a few thoughts about shopping I would like to share. Shopping in Kenya is wonderful for many reasons. I discovered yesterday after living here for 30 days that I probably need more clothes. My hand washing failed me after some of my clothes bled on others. So on our way to work we stopped at the obnoxious, filthy Kongowea market.

There isn't a single clothing store in the United States that hires 40 year old men that give fashion advice. Immediately when I walked into the first "shop" I was evaluated. The old man that owned the shop saw what I was interested in and began offering other items that I obviously would've wanted. You know, Mervyn, Walmart, and ShopKo specials with fabulous tie dye, lacy, or flowery prints. Lots of flow in the arms and real low cut in the front. And this held true for every shop we went to. It was amazing to me that they all knew exactly what I was looking for.

I thoroughly enjoyed when I put on a shirt and then found out that the only mirror they had was in the dressing room. Someone was in the dressing room but the shop owner yelled into the dressing room insisting that they get out so I could see myself. I guess it is really important that I see what I look like. Obviously more important than any other person. But I declined and Andrew took a picture instead..look to the left (and yes I did figure out that posting pictures is easy. I'm just not so smart.)

People say that Americans and Europeans are ruining the clothing industry in Kenya because they send over old clothes that can be sold for so cheap that a Kenyan based clothing company would not be able to compete. I can now say I agree. Not only are they ruining the clothing industry, they are promoting terrible fashions. The clothing here makes me feel a little like living in the 90s, but not in a good way.

Don't worry though, I did get a couple great shirts. What a bummer that they were 4 bucks a piece. Sometimes, well a lot of times I hate being a tourist.