Despite the fact that I only brought 6 skirts and like 10 pairs of undies we managed to pack Jason’s beloved Wii in our limited supply of luggage when we moved here. He had actually gotten some advise that it would be a fun way to get to know locals, have them over and play together. I did not buy it.

Until a few weeks ago. Since we do not have a TV we had to hook it up to our projector. Jason had not even tried this in the 4 months we have been here because we have always been too overwhelmed, busy, and the power situation is pretty sketchy at times. He finally decided to bust it out last week and the results were hilarious. There was soon an audience peering through our windows laughing and saying things like “Jason anendesha gari na piki piki” Jason drives the car and vespa. Jason invited a couple guys in to play and I snuck a video of the whole experience. Trying to explain how the Wii works in Kiswahili was pretty amusing. The guys seemed to enjoy themselves and so Jason seems to be right (darn it, I hate it when that happens).

http://i204.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid204.photobucket.com/albums/bb212/roxanne_engstrom/wiigoescrosscultural.flv

http://i204.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid204.photobucket.com/albums/bb212/roxanne_engstrom/wiifunwithi.flv

  1. Anonymous says:

    This is just too funny!

  2. Anonymous says:

    Besides the absolute ridiculousness of it all which I love – you guys are sounding fluent! don’t you think Africans, are like – leave it to those crazy white folks to bring something that is a “time waster” that has no practical purpose yet is so fun that they will all be wanting one! What a great way to make relationships. Do any of the kids think it is magic? I remember a bunch of kids thinking my digital clock/flashlight was some kind of god like instrument, so I can’t even imagine a Wii because I’m still trying to figure out how it does it!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Very funny, and a great way to meet the neighbors. Boys will be boys anywhere, won’t they. Love Anni’s laughter, but didn’t like hearing her little coughs.:(

  4. Anonymous says:

    i love it! never underestimate the unifying power of the wii. brandon’s parents got a wii fit right before thanksgiving, and after dinner EVERYONE was wii fitting–a group ranging from us to b’s folks, to some visiting indian friends in their 70s. i just loved it. and i also love that elliot and anni had exactly the same response–screaming (and coughing!) with laughter!

  5. Anonymous says:

    Nice to see Jason is keeping his Mario Kart skills sharp. How do the locals do with bowling or tennis? Heh, or how about Warioware?

  6. Anonymous says:

    have not tried those yet….bado (later)