How we would like to talk to you about something else, about the paradise that this second wave has infected.
In these last nine months our feelings have been mixed: at first we were afraid of the Chinese coming in droves, they were everywhere working and as always we did not know who they were and what they were doing exactly.
Then we feared ourselves, the Italians, asking them against our interests not to come to Kenya and when the President promptly and rightly closed the national borders, we invited the non-resident countrymen to return to their homeland.
Then we began to worry about the predictions of the World Health Organization which warned the world about a possible "humanitarian catastrophe" in Africa.
Weeks went by and fortunately there were victims, lifeless bodies in the streets, hospitals collapsing there was no shadow, with the Government and Counties trying to organize themselves as best they could, having to start from just over zero, as the President himself recently recalled.
In the meantime, the coast was crying the crisis of tourism and the entrepreneurs were jumping up and down so as not to lay off their employees, asking to be able to reopen their activities slowly, also because here there were very few cases, almost nothing.
After the reopening to international flights we saw a glimmer of light: Kenya was finally accessible again for safaris, the sea, business in Nairobi and its most sought-after destinations. But the ball had passed into the hands of Italy and other European countries that have not allowed, and still do not allow, their citizens to fly to Kenya for simple leisure, or as tourists.
Now Christmas is approaching, the high season that is particularly experienced on the coast. It has always been the turn of Mombasa, Malindi, Watamu, Diani and even Lamu. Safaris in the Tsavo and excursions in the marine parks. We turned with the residual optimism to local tourism, supporting the initiatives of the Ministry of the sector and trying to adapt the services to the needs of the Kenyans, hoping to extend our offers to neighbouring African countries.
Just as we are preparing to welcome domestic tourism for Christmas, the cases of Covid-19 are increasing exponentially. Our information service, but also the fact that we live here, requires us to report the numbers and go into them personally.
The situation is not good and yesterday also the Minister of Health for the first time, during one of his daily bulletins, mentioned Malindi as one of the problem areas of the last days.
This message came at the same time as a warning from Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi, who said that there would be a cessation of movement within the County if cases do not diminish and if its people continue to disregard rules and protocols.
Here we are, in the midst of this unreal reality.
No heavy restrictions, masks worn by a few, great freedom of movement in the paradise of all time, but at the same time heavy clouds looming.
We sail on sight in the Indian Ocean, hoping that the African wind and sun, which so many times have helped the people that face it, will once again take away the bad omens.
We will gladly come back to talk about something else, with even greater passion.