nothing quite prepared me

for what it felt like to walk into my favourite Nairobi bookshop, Bookstop, Yaya Centre, 2nd Floor, and see my book.

Occupying the Coveted Front Counter Display Spot.

I've lived and breathed Migritude I: When Saris Speak for the past 3 years. The front cover is the D. Ross Cameron photo we used for all the marketing. The back cover is the photo of a mehndi ambi on my back, done at Artwallah in LA, 2005. I know every word in the book (the English text, that is!) back to front, sideways, upside down, in my sleep.

Yet, the physical tangible book still fills me with wonder. The fact that it's in two languages - pages in English facing pages in Italian. I touch them gently, trace the beautiful clear font, the rich paper, as you'd trace the face of a lover, learning it with your fingertips. My book brings up the sun in my solar plexus, spreads warmth and light through my body, makes me smile wide, wide, wider than I thought my mouth could stretch.

Translators: Pina Piccolo and Marta Matteini
Photo: D. Ross Cameron
Marketing Card Design: Sterling Larrimore
Design and Photo Shoot Director: Kim Cook