Yes, I want to get shot!
In 1993, 20 or so of us spoiled stupid American college students went to Kenya for a class trip. Yes, the stereotypes are largely true, we do think everyone wants to be like us and we don't realize that WE are the oddballs! I could go on about walking through Nairobi with expensive jewlery for all to see (a necklace was snatched within five minutes) and the women wearing bikinis then getting offended at being stared at by the locals.

My fox paws (yes, I know it's faux pas, I'm trying to be cute!) was when I heard that I could get a better exchange rate to Kenya shillings at the bank than at the hotel. So me and two friends went across the street to the bank. My friend tried to open the door and quickly got into a tug of war with someone on the other side. Promptly, and helmetted guard with an assault rifle pokes his head out and glares at us.

"We're trying to get into the bank," my friend explains. The man just shakes his head. "We need to exchange money," she continues.

We finally realize it's Saturday and we'd tried to break into a bank.

Part of me was left thinking "But banks at home are open on Saturday mornings..."
( setimret likes his metaphors mixed, not stirred, Fri 8 Jul 2005, 14:35, Reply)