Their sunscreens and books

Photo: iStock

By Kisauti

It’s hard to find an idle African on a poolside bench. Africans I have realized don’t know the first thing about kicking back and relaxing. It’s always Europeans on these benches with their sunscreens and books.

Whenever we visit nice places we always have a sense of urgency. We want to enjoy everything all at once as if it will all fade away the next minute. You will see us playing with the sand, then collecting shells, and a moment later we will be swimming. Meanwhile, the European will be unmoved with his book and sunscreen.

It’s the same thing at the buffet. We are always in a hurry to eat everything on the menu. You will see us at breakfast with a plate full of bacon, eggs, beans, and bread. Meanwhile our European will be enjoying his bowl of cereal with a glass of juice and his book.

Lunch is no different. Our plates are full to breaking with chicken, beef, and fish (They are all proteins by the way) while Mr. European is in a corner with his vegetables and book.

It’s our soundtrack whenever we are in nice places, we can never just relax; we are on the beach, at the pool, at the buffet, in our rooms, and then back again at the buffet. We do everything at once because we’re not sure when the good European will put down his book and sunscreen and take everything for himself as he once did.