"Don't worry about it. We live in the age of hype. Everything's about the next big thing, or the new superstar. People just can't be happy with what there is, what is good," I told Chemeli as we sat on the bench overlooking one of the finest beaches in the world.
And with that, began the game, Over-Hyped. Who or what is over-hyped? What better way to pass the time in Diani Beach, the white sand beach, the Cancun of Africa. Who would think that this deserted stretch of beach would attract some of the world's rich and famous? Bill Gates flies his personal jet here. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie became "Brangelina" during a secret trip to the area. During the World Cup, Jose Maurinho, coach of Real Madrid, vacationed here with his family.
"Lebron James is over-hyped.." I said. "Everyone wants to say he's going to be the best ever, but if he has one knee injury, he might not even make the Hall of Fame."
"Miley Cirus. I mean, she's not even a good singer," Chemeli fired back. Although Chemeli grew up in Kenya, she was more Muzungu than Chris or me. Being the daughter of the Kenyan ambassador to America, going to high school and college in the States, will do that to a girl.
"Global warming." Chris chimed in. "I mean, enough already."
Out of the blue came Chemetai's voice. Chemeli's twin sister, the Nairobi native, was not to be outdone: "The Meet the Fockers trilogy. Twilight. Shoot, all sequels."
"Zanzibar." Chris said. Yes, having been there only days before, i agreed. The name is mythical, but there are simply too many stinky Europeans in sandals with socks walking around for it to seem all that romantic or mystical.
"Twitter!" On this, we were all in agreement.
Soon, we turned to a new category: Under-Hyped.
"The beach" I said.
"The stars" one of the twins chimed in.
"Is being twins overhyped or underhyped?" I asked.
"Definitely underhyped." they answered in unison.
"Samuel!" said Chris.On this, we all agreed. Samuel, our personal chef for the past two days, provided by our beachfront villa, could make seafood like no other.
After 14 days on the road, after spending a grand total of $150 over 14 nights to camp or stay in the cheapest hotel in many towns, Chris and I had arrived in the lap of luxury. Samuel cooking a daily menu of fish, shrimp, and crab. A warm blue ocean. Nowhere to be except at the table for the next game of scrabble, spades, or gin.
Under-Hyped: the beach in Kenya and its beachfront villas. Following two weeks of heavy driving, immersion in local cultures, and being a Muzungu in the land of no Muzungus, a couple days of lazy comfort on the nicest beach you've never heard of was just right
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