Everest

The first time Kennie and I talked with Everest, he asked me if I knew IT, information technology.  He said that he works for Orange (an internet company) and they needed someone who knew information technology.  I said that I didn’t, but he kept walking with us.  As we walked, he kept waving at everyone and telling us that all of the boda boda guys were his friends.  We told him we were going to the church to hand out flyers for the immunization drive.  At this point, he told us that he was a medical professional of the highest order.  Throughout all of this, he kept offering both of us handshakes and hugs.  We began to really question his sanity.  He speaks very good English, but there is definitely something a little off. 

Our second encounter with Everest was at Smart Shopper, one of our favorite supermarkets in Masaka.  He saw us shopping, and came in to greet us.  People here generally offer lingering handshakes that can last uncomfortably for the length of the conversation.  Due to his friendliness at our last encounter, Amy and I tried to leave him to talk with Kennie only.  He followed us around the store, until he finally got to give Amy a hug.  We told him that we study accounting, at which point he got very excited and told us that he also studied accounting.

We’ll often see Everest at our favorite restaurant in town, Chris’s Guest House.  One time in particular, he came in handing out flyers for MTN (another internet and phone company.)  Everest is always handing out flyers.  He gave us all flyers, and then started asking us questions.  He told Amy to order him a water, but then he just went and got one for himself, then left.  About five minutes later, he burst back in, and was really worked up about something.  He began freaking out about MTN, and tell us to never buy things from MTN, because they do not give him water.  He was very upset, and at this point told us he was going to go to Canada to study criminal justice.  Then he asked Kennie about his iPhone, and asked who gave him service.  Kennie wrote down T-Mobile, then Everest went on his way. 

The best Everest encounter to date involved only Amy and I, when we decided to go eat breakfast at Chris’s.  There we are, just enjoying our French toasted, when Everest comes and joins us at our table.  He tells us some good news!  He is going to be wed on August 22, and then he is going to Canada to study medicine.  Everest loves Canada.  He orders a boiled egg and some water, and continues talking to us while we are trying to eat.  He asked me to take him to the Swiss Alps and told Amy that he wants take her on a picnic with her to Lake Nabugabu.  Amy politely declines and tells him that she has to work.  He wants the information of who we work for, so I write down the name and Amy makes up an email address.  When he finishes his egg, he tells us he has to go to the hospital, he works there as a nurse. 

So we’re not exactly sure what this little man’s story is, but we always get a kick out of talking to him!