Gate Four….I arrive extremely early, given my apprehension about missing another flight.  For the first hour or so, I am the only muzungu in the area.  Gate # 4 has many flights pending.  First is the flight to Mogadishu.  I attempt to observe without gawking. I have spent the night with virtually all of these people, many of whom were sleeping on the floor downstairs near the mosque.  Several others waited upstairs, involving the ticket agent with documents, exchange of currency, production of tickets and such.  The women are dressed modestly in various styles of garments.  Not having a dictionary with me I am not certain what the headcoverings are called specifically….. some have only slits open for the eyes, others are coverings for the hair but the faces are showing……. Very similar to the older habits worn by nuns in the US.  Some are beautifully adorned with sequins shaping flowers and leaves.  Others are plain.   Many of the women have henna tattoos on their fingers…… the face and the hands are the only visible skin showing.  The men are dressed nicely in business attire. Some men wear the garment looking like a long pajama shirt……and a headcovering that resembles a pillbox hat.  These are patterned variously with what appears to be brocade or embroidery.  They are all meticulously dressed.   My apologies for not having the proper vocabulary…. But I really do not trust my spelling and use of the specific terms for the garments.  I will look them up  WHEN I have access to necessary resources.

 Another flight is to Maputu……… On this flight is a football team dressed in their team colors.  The picture of health and virility.

(to be continued)

post script:  Kiswahili word for;

 black cloak and veil worn by women:  bui bui

long white robe worn by men:  kanzu

embroidered cap worn by men:  kofia