28-year-old Celestine moved from Kenya to central Serbia: We asked her many things, one response delighted us

Photo: Telegraf.rs

Celestine Kemboi, a 28-year-old woman with a bright smile and spirit, decided exactly two months ago to replace her native Eldoret, a city in the west of Kenya, for none other than Belgrade's Sopot municipality, where she lives, works and, as she says - truly enjoys her lfe.

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"I work on Mt. Kosmaj, in Alexander Hotel. I clean the rooms, sometimes I also work in the bar... I like it here, everyone is nice to me! A friend recommended this place, I listened to her and I'm very happy about it. It's really nice here, I like everything!," says Celestine - whom everyone calls "Sisi".

Even though she is 5,135 kilometers away from her home, and the boy waiting for her in Kenya - Sisi smiles as if she has everything she needs in her life right now. She tells us that she worked abroad before - in the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai.

"I couldn't go there anymore. It's really too hot there. It goes up to 50 degrees (Celsius)! It's hard to take," she tells us, and notices that we are surprised. She is used, it seems, to everyone thinking hot weather in Kenya is the norm.

Foto: Telegraf.rs

"Back home in Eldoret, in Nairobi, the temperatures do not exceed 25 degrees... That's right," Sisi looks at us - as we process this information.

When asked about Serbia and what she enjoys here, she tells us that she has just arrived, and that she still has a lot to see, but that she is delighted with nature, at least this part around Sopot, Mladenovac and Belgrade that she has come to know.

"But most of all, I like the free public transport in Serbia! That's awesome!," this Kenyan woman, a member of the Kalenjin nation in her country, tells us.

Her people, she tells us, are divided into 12 tribes, and that is slightly less than there are Serbs (in Serbia) - about 7 million people. They live in Kenya and Uganda. She is proud of her fellow athletes who brought glory to Kenya and Africa by winning middle and long track-distance competitions.

She also revealed that one of the greatest, Ezekiel Kemboi - is her cousin!

"I have one remark to make. I don't hold it against anyone, but a few days ago I happened to ask for directions, where to go, and I kept coming across people who don't speak English," Celestine tells us.

Foto: Telegraf.rs

At the same time, she admits to that she is struggling with learning the Serbian language - but promises that she she is dedicated to do so.

We recommended that she first looks at cartoons - that must be the easiest way to start.

Eventually, we said our goodbyes to Sisi, a woman whose smile never leaves her face.

We wondered, somewhat perplexed - why those of us who live here next to her, and are not 5,135 kilometers away from our home - why don't we smile as brightly as she does?

But we hope that smile is contagious.

(K.M.)