Trussed up

A very perturbing dream in which I switched on the shower and disturbed a nest of scorpions. It culminated in the takeover of a house by the scorpions and led onto emergency evacuation of the region, and images in the distance of Rwanda being bombed by Russia. Truly dystopian, although the last part is reality for Ukraine. Google also tells me there are scorpions in Crimea.

In the afternoon I went with a bag of supplies to see my colleague Pastory who is now recovering from the recent accident in a hotel in Dar es Salaam. Arriving there was somewhat of a comical experience with a tuk tuk, flooded backstreets and another colleague trying to direct me over the phone. I finally found him at this clear and well advertised place. It was fantastic to see Pastory with much more energy and starting to navigate crutches, all whilst dealing with the loss of his wife in the same accident. Resilience.

In the evening I met up with another colleague, Dennis, and two of his friends, and had some beers for the first time in a while. Conversation in such situations, even when not initiated by me, usually turns to Brexit or the state of the UK’s leadership. In my experience most non-Brits don’t understand why the UK would vote for Brexit as it seems like a retrogressive move in a globalised world. That’s what 48% of us think as well, I explained, but Brits are guilty of wanting to eat their international cake when it suits, whilst depriving others of a slice [refer to the irony of Brexiteers blaming the EU for increased paperwork to reside in Spain whilst stripping Spaniards of the right to live and work in the UK].

As a colonising nation, Den confirmed that the Brits’ legacy is probably the least bad of an unsavoury bunch, based on the political trajectories of countries post-independence. This is a good point as there are more examples of formerly British colonies that have remained relatively politically stable (Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Ghana) than countries formerly governed by Portugal, Belgium and France. Although my point is crude as it doesn’t explore any of the other contributing factors to instability or highlight former British colonies that have been nothing other than tumultuous (such as the former Sudan).

It’s true that in Africa I can’t remember anyone being hostile as a result of my nationality, although of course I’ve felt it due to my ethnicity. I suspect strong anti-Britishness is more of a trait amongst fellow Europeans (some of whom would do it humorously) and people from the Arab world (many of whom have just reason to hate the UK’s role in geopolitics).

I think Dennis was partially on board with my anti-Liz Truss comments. The blip community should brace itself for these to become a common occurrence as the UK’s new dawn breaks. I pray for a wholesale ideological shift in the UK at some point, and we will no longer have to entertain the likes of Truss in lofty positions.