"SNOOKS IN MOMBASSA" + Crosspost & Competition Info.

t'OTHERWITH SOLDIER #10.

FOREWORD.

Soldiers in “The Aden Conflict” (War is War, whatever it’s named) were usually posted to that Theatre for two years. We were granted four weeks leave to their homeland, plus two weeks “Local Leave” - two choices…. Stay on base, excused all duties (except getting shot etc.,) Or flying to Mombassa, Kenya (less violence, more pickpockets, cleaner whores).

There in this ancient island city, we encountered an Otherworld of decaying empire, flush with anecdotes of the last remaining whites. Anecdotes to which we added our own, to regale our comrades in Aden. Corporal Jack Talbot, a long career soldier and thus a great raconteur, was the first of our unit to make the trip.

Jack extolled Mombassa, showing woodcarvings from the market. Described Beautiful women offering a fortnight of bliss, home from home with all benefits, at half hotel prices (actually seeking husbands and UK Citizenship. The ploy rarely worked as the British Army seldom granted Permission to Marry. Another cheap option was lodging at Nyali Beach, ex-home of 24 Brigade before Independence. A condition of said independence that Kenya would show friendship to civilian clothed, holidaying British soldiers. It also facilitated continued military presence, ostensibly, to protect the diminishing cadre of white business and tech personnel against a final few hard-line freedom fighters.

His two pieces of sagacious advice….. avoid Dipstick Pox, and the midday sun 'cos Jungle Humidity is worse than Desert Dry Heat !

Jack spent a few days astounded at the teeming railside wild life whilst travelling 600 miles by train to Nairobi, the capital city. Included were two nights Camera Safari at Tsavo National Game Reserve, which stretched the entire distance between the cities. The trip was not cheap, nor were the Hotels in Nairobi, now an international very busy business enclave…. The rest of Jack’s leave had been at the Rock Hotel…. A destination chosen also by Corporal Robbo Robinson, who’s leave followed Jack’s a couple of weeks later. Robbo was convinced by Jack’s description of of Gourmet repasts, cocktail bar and of Carole, the hotels receptionist, that The Rock was the accommodation for him. His subsequent endorsement of Jack’s experience was totally enthusiastic, especially over Carole.

ARRIVAL.

Snooks and myself enthralled, booked leave, flights, and rooms at the Rock. I wrote to Mum, asking for fifty quid (1,000 East African Shillings) from my savings. The day before flying, her envelope arrived, promising remittance to Aden.….. OH Heck !! Had to send a telegram “Too late, send it to me quick c/o Rock Hotel” Not too worried as I had 20 Adeni Dinar (400 EAS) in my passport.

Jumping off the Aeroplane for a short Bus ride, and a short walk that turned into a dawdle, shop windows like I’d never seen before, a thrust & bustle crowd, past a pair of mammoth tusks forming the Uhuru Market’s arched portal. Pronounced by pushing all three “U”s - it means Freedom, the word everywhere, thanks to Jomo Kenjatta’s Mau-Mau….

Carole had the morning off so as I chatted with the Rock’s Lady owner, I put my hand in my hip pocket ….. OH Heck !! Passport gone, Noooo !! I explained there was cash in the mail, which was fine by this Lovely Lass. Thankfully. She pointed out for registered mail I’d need to show my passport before the Post Office would let me sign for it !! Four days later at breakfast she informed me the postwallah had asked her to personally introduce me to the Postmaster. Hurray !! I was able to settle my bill for the whole period, and put the rest in her safe for later. Now I could spend my 20 Dinar.

I celebrated my relief by purchasing all pressies at the market, plus a few beers. Then a happy stroll, like any Mad Dog or Englishman out in the Midday Sun. Perhaps three hours later, I walked into the Rock, ordered a Large Pernod, felt suddenly faint, unable to drink it. Trob (Somali for Sand) our Barman got Bert, The hotel’s longest (15 years) resident to help me up to my room “Heatstroke” he said taking my arm “Everybody gets it the first week here” in my confusion I wondered what he meant by “Here”…. The Rock ? Africa ? Was the beer the trigger ? Or missing lunch ? Waking up too late for Dinner, this was the only time I managed supper - to the chuckles of the other residents.

GOURMET.

Jack and Robbo marvelled at the Rock’s cuisine…. sixty years later, I still marvel at the Seven Course Breakfast - a quart jug of fresh pressed juice, a selection of all popular British cereals, oatmeal porridge - four varieties, breaded freshwater fish with slices of citrus fruits, Main course - “How many eggs Sahib ? All same-same all different ? three or four sausages ? Five Sahib ! Certainly, same-same bacon ? Medium or crispy ? Two toast to start two to follow Sahib ? Then - Intermission !! A break to request which international or British Newspapers to read tomorrow…. Course six was a thick slice of pineapple, fresh picked before dawn - broad as the dinner plate it came on, Sahib always requested and received a double portion. Finally, escorted to one’s own lounge table, selection of cheeses jams crackers and newspapers. Moments later joined by complete Silver Coffee Service.

The other three meals I do not recall in detail, other than Lunch, which I usually skipped, was also 7 courses, some cold, Supper somewhat lighter, but Dinner, always a different menu 9 course festival, beyond anything previously experienced, thus rarely skipped. The Empire waned with a flourish….

The cost ?…. for non residents the total price of these four meals was greater than the Full Board (subsidised) rate for Her Majesties Forces,… A mere 50 EAS per night…. inc laundry. For comparison, back then in England that sum bought a decent Bed and Breakfast. Army pay was 230 EAS per week.

CAROLE.

Day two we introduced ourselves. Over the previous two years, most white families had fled or been ejected, Carole at eighteen missing her childhood chums, her new social circle comprised eligible hotel bachelors, often morphing into Pen Pals, just like Jack & Robbo. Those particularly liked were invited to meet her parents. Derek had been a 24 Brigade Pay Corps Colonel, retiring to a Kenyan Government job, a means of staying longer in the country they loved so much. He worked as an accountant, one month “On Safari” teaching bookkeeping to remote village stores, so to access Government modernisation Funds. Then a month at home writing reports.

Peggy a WRAC in Derek’s Office twenty years earlier, quit the Army to marry him. As Independence was gearing up for Tourism, she had recently found work as a Curator, turning the Old Portuguese Fort Jesus into a museum. Apparently miles of Smugglers tunnels were yet to be re-excavated. She had the huge task to search for related documents. For my first visit she prepared Rice baked within Lakefish, with Sweet potato, mmmmm dish delish. Over the meal she told me that until the struggle for Uhuru, house servants would cook such meals. To serve the families of the early colonists, servants were compelled to carry food whilst shuffling on their knees, a precaution against rebellion….. If any small mistake occurred the nearest white could smash a plate over the servants head. She had, on occasion been chided by other whites for her criticism of such “Tradition”.

After eating, they left to collect Susan, their 11 year old, and would return late. Carol and I were left to flirt, just a little, simultaneously delighted and rather nervous. We drank a sherry, danced the cha-cha, talked about our imagined respective futures. Two subsequent visits were afternoon opportunities for all to enjoy getting better acquainted….

The rest of my time was spent exploring the island or chatting with residents in the Rock’s bar. Predominantly seniors in Factory, Road & Dam Construction, glumly making themselves obsolete as they taught locals the intricacies of their professions. One fellow, a German in his thirties, attempted to attack me, blaming me as a soldier, for the Horrific Fire Bombing of Dresden, where as a child, everyone he’d known had perished. I could not understand his attitude over a massacre three months prior to my birth. The other guests gently maneuvered him out into the garden. However this incident together with Peggy’s plate story opened my mind. My Army daze often provided unexpected education.

NYALI.

On the tenth day my money almost gone I asked the Rock’s owner for a refund, which she happily provided, enabling me to enjoy my last four days & nights on the white sands of Nyali, diving for Conch before making fond & sad farewells with Carole’s lovely family. We corresponded for years thereafter, a whole ‘Nother Story, for a ‘Nother time.

Back in Aden, facing the Wrath of my Officer Commanding over my Passport got me thinking about returning to Civilian Life. Which led eventually to so many Creative Adventures, still happening, and publishing….

CROSSPOSTING INFO.

This is an invitation for any Storyteller to showcase their work to a fresh audience, at Yes, I Author. Just as Jack Watson’s piece “Frida’s Dragon” was recently re-published here…. The offer is open to all, but restricted to a max length of 1,500 words in English. Can have been published elsewhere. Interested ? then send me a link that I may read the piece. There’s no Deadline. Full credit given.

N.B. This is a Separate Project to the Competition currently Running on

This Creative Adventure

Here’s the latest Update :-

WRITING COMPETITION, With Prizes, recently launched on Both Paid & Free Versions, and on “Yes, I Author !” 

The Brief :- Write a short story, in English, max 1,200 words.

Topics :- Choose from :- Adventure, Cats, Dragons, Climate.

Vein :- Sci-fi/fan, Humour, Political, Romance. Any combination is acceptable, for any age group.

Submission date :- No later than 16th March.

Results Date :- 11th April.

Restrictions :- 1)> No Photographs or Artwork, Please. 2)> Any submission Deemed written by a Non Human is unlikely to be accepted.

Eligibility :- Any Human Newbie Writer who reads this invitation. Newbie is defined as having less than 200 free or paid subscribers.

PRIZES :- TCA will take a Paid subscription to the winners stack, AND give a Complimentary 12 month Subs to TCA's Paid version. PLUS an Interview on the Free Version. Plus an offer to cross-post the winning story, on Yes, I Author ! and TCA Free Version. A selected number of submissions may also be offered Some of these prizes ! Sharpen your quills !!

Please email me your stories as a pdf with "Competition" as the subject…. to mcb25tca@aol.com ANY QUESTIONS ? Just Direct Message me !

Messages show up in Chats, Comments show up when readers click the Heart button.

Thankyou, Maurice.

NeXt on Yes, I Author ! Wednesdays, thrice monthly (ex Dec/Jan).

Ancient Legend #16, Feb 26. “Annavisker, Friendship, Salt”

Random #4, Mar 12. “Mr Marriot’s Heating System”

C & D #2, Mar 19 “A Conference on Shapeshifting”

NeXt on This Creative Adventure Fridays, Free Version 22 x min, per Annum.

TCA #19, Feb 21, “Hallo Newbie, an Interview with Monique El Faizy” + an Excerpt from an Article on embracing Autism.

Monique is a trailblazing American Journalist, campaigning for Justice Equality in a better World. She lives in Paris.