I walked out of my hotel room with one intention – locate a convenience store to buy a nail clipper and chewing gum.

Chewing gum has a special place in my house. My son who will be 3 soon likes chewing gum. He doesn’t ask much. Just chewing gum. He will also be very specific when making the ask – don’t get the “biter one” which I have come to learn is the mint flavored type. His favorite is the strawberry flavor.

I knew the store wouldn’t be far away from the hotel I am lodging – after all this is a repeat visit.

As soon as I was away from the hotel precincts, a middle aged man walks to me. He is of good demeanor. Very warm looking. He is clad in beige khaki pants and a flannel to match the looks.

He points at a parked sedan. A Geely. Teal in color. He must have spotted me staring at it as I walked in his direction.

“All the cars you see are imported. Only this one is fully assembled locally” Those were his pick up lines.

I knew where this was headed. Again – because I was not a first time visitor to this city.

He proceeds to extend his hand. This was definitely a handshake he was offering. Who would I refuse when even Trump and Kim Jong Un – him of North Korea – had greeting sometime last summer.

He then asks the most embarrassing question, “are you from Kenya?” I cringe.

“Most Kenyans come here. Some come to sell software. It is good” he mutters. All without the slightest interest.

“You don’t want to speak to me. I am not a bad guy”

At this point, I just told him, “sir, I am okay and thanks for the company but no thanks”.

The last time we indulged such company, my friend #SamuelKuria lost his blackberry!

This is the land of Abyssinia.