Christmas should be better than this

As you all eagerly look forward to Christmas, I know someone who cannot wait for this day to come and go. Fast. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • It all went downhill after that. It turned out that the hot water heater had broken down that morning, at least according to the receptionist, so a hot shower was out, while the late lunch they were served was too salty.

  • A walk through the grounds later revealed a swimming pool filled with green slimy water, and there went their vision of spending two lazy afternoons by the poolside.

As you all eagerly look forward to Christmas, I know someone who cannot wait for this day to come and go. Fast.

For reasons you shall see shortly, he believes that Christmas Day is jinxed, at least for him and his family and, therefore, has no intention of celebrating it. Not this year, next year, or the next after that.

Last year, this gentleman went into great detail planning for this day. At the beginning of the year, a friend had told him about this nice ultra-modern hotel that was not only family friendly, but was also a stone’s throw away from a big park that had every

imaginable amusement that every child would go gaga over — swings, all sorts of slides including huge water slides, bouncing castles, a swimming pool, miniature train rides — name it.

He has three children aged seven, four, and two years, so this would definitely be the perfect place to keep them occupied and happy.

They planned to travel on the 24th and return home on the 26th in the evening. Everyone was excited, his wife especially, after seeing awe-inspiring pictures of the hotel on a glossy brochure.

Since the two got married nine years earlier, they had spent all the other Christmases either at home, or upcountry, where they went through the day with half-closed eyes because they knew the drill, having gone through it over the years. This is what

generally happened: the men would slaughter a goat, while the women spent the better part of the day cooking an impressive pile of chapatis — a dreary job if ever there was one, mind you.

They would then gather at a spot in the compound and eat. Afterwards, everyone would drink a soda, while the men would take a token beer before preparing to head home, the women bone-tired and irritable.

His wife, therefore, looked forward to not lifting a finger that Christmas, and could not wait to be served, and to have someone make the beds and generally clean after them for a change.

The 24th was bright and warm, and they all woke up early, full of expectation. They began the journey at around 12 and arrived at the destination, or what looked like it, two hours later.

The brochure had shown a well-kempt compound, but what they saw, as they drove into the “ultra-modern” hotel, though not neglected, looked somewhat shabby. Also, there were only about four cars parked in the courtyard, which spoke volumes.

They slowly unloaded their luggage and walked into the hotel, where they were received by a bored-looking receptionist, who handed them their room keys and directed them to a lift, which would take them to the third floor. By then, no one was talking,

apprehensive of what they would find upstairs.

The spacious room, with an adjoining one for the kids, was tidy, but looked nothing like the plush rooms in the brochure. Horror of horrors, when the main character’s wife walked into the bathroom to check it out, she found dried bits of hair

(I don’t know from what part of the body) plastered on one of the walls. The bathroom had either not been washed after the last guest, or the one who had cleaned had done a lousy job.

It all went downhill after that. It turned out that the hot water heater had broken down that morning, at least according to the receptionist, so a hot shower was out, while the late lunch they were served was too salty.

A walk through the grounds later revealed a swimming pool filled with green slimy water, and there went their vision of spending two lazy afternoons by the poolside.

But it was not all lost, he consoled himself, because there was the park, where his children, by then grumpy, could have some fun. Lo and behold, when they went there, they found a sign that the facility was closed until further notice. Tell me, would you plan another holiday after this debacle?

To cut a long story short, the poor man and his family endured a night in this joke of a hotel and returned home the following morning— on Christmas Day. Of course, his wife behaved as if he was to blame for their ruined Christmas, and gave him the silent treatment until January, when they inevitably had to talk about school fees.

I wish you a much more successful Christmas.

  

 

FEEDBACK

If college students would engage in meaningful activities with their free time, they would learn a lot. A good example is joining Rotarians who model them into the life after college.

 Gitu

 

I agree with you about the poor manners of people who have no regard to other road (pavement) users. This is simply a culture of selfishness, which is the same culture that drives corruption. Nyamute

 

Your article was hilarious even though the subject was tragic: the generation of young people that shuns work and responsibility and is not ashamed to see parents slaving as they have fun. Soon they join the workplace and expect their bosses to work as they earn a salary. But I blame the parents who allow them to get away with it.

Crescence

 

I know what you mean when you talk about college students. I have been there and don’t forget the time spent “copying” movies and series to the laptop for later. But I know there are a few students who have a lot to do and no time to waste window shopping and strolling around town. I do agree with you on having separate lanes. I am always in a hurry and bumping on people or following a group of young students gives me a headache for sure. Wacera

 

There are people who walk at very high speed in the streets. In contrast, tourists take time to admire the surroundings. Does this mean that majority of Kenyans are so conversant with the town that there is nothing new to admire? Some of the weird behaviours portrayed by college students should not worry many because they are on their way to self-discovery.  Mutua