When we give directions in the States it’s usually pretty precise…Go north on 43rd Avenue past Union Hills Drive, turn west on Wahalla which is the last street going west before hitting the frontage road, then take an immediate right then immediate left and we are at 1234 W. Wahalla Lane…ok those are (sort of) directions to our kids’ home in Phoenix but you get the idea.  Giving directions can and should be close to an exacting science, don’t you think?  Not if you live in Tala, Kenya and it’s something we are not only getting used to but starting to give directions in the same way!

There are no addresses here (stores, banks, residences use PO boxes) and since we only have 2 main roads that lead in and out of Tala (1 called Nairobi/Kangundo Road – it leads to Nairobi in one direction and Kangundo the other and Thicka Road – which leads to, you guessed it, Thicka) we can use these road names but what about the rest of the “roads”?  To tell people how to get to our home we tell them to take Thicka Road past the Salvation Army church, turn left just shortly after passing the church.  From there I guess we are supposed to assume people will know where we live because I never hear directions given as to the exact location of our compound.  But people find us!

If we are discussing with neighbors as to where someone else lives we get a wave in a general direction and told “they live on the other side”.  My question is, the other side of what?  The other side of the road, the village, the mountain, the country…what!?  I’m still learning the intricacies of this direction!

Or if I want to find out the location of a certain shop I may be told “they are inside”.  Again, inside what?  This one I’m getting used to because I’ve found out it means inside the market area of Tala.  I’ve even used it myself to tell someone where we got our desks from…”Kyalo’s shop just inside.”  And you know what, they get it and know where I’m talking about!

Being “outside” is a bit different because it could mean outside the market area of Tala or outside Tala altogether.  Maybe you have to be somewhat familiar with the market area to know which outside they are talking about?  Sometimes it depends on the hand wave as to what outside they mean.  If it’s a small wrist movement then it usually means just outside the market area, but a larger hand wave usually means outside Tala and sometimes is given with the direction “they are outside on the other side”!

I’m glad Tala is small, I’m getting used to where things are which means I’m able to take directions…somewhat.  I still often ask “what is next to your shop?” or “what’s accross the street from you?” in order to find out exactly where they are located.  

Oh and another thing, if we ask where a shop is where we can buy blankets most people know the shop owner’s name not the shop’s name.  We are told “go to Muinde’s shop for blankets” but when we look for Muinde’s shop we don’t find it because it’s the shop owners name not the shop, then we ask around “where’s Muinde’s shop to buy blankets?”  and we’re told “he’s inside”!  Thanks, I’m sure I can find it now!

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