Having African Neighbours

You think being an African and living in a non-African country is hard? Then try being an African, living in a non-African country AND having African neighbours. That, my friend is hardship! And then if they somehow have kids... You're done!

I am proud to say that in my 5 years and 4 months here in Austria, and 4 times of relocating from 3 different "subcities", I still have to cope with the bountiful African neighbours who surround our recent apartment. There is no day I can seem to look out my window and not see an African pass by our house or knock on the door. 

And so I have stopped looking out the window facing the street, and have now resigned myself to peeping through the one that shows the garden.

Thus, to avoid getting visitors that were "just driving up and down the street and somehow saw your name on the door and decided to stop by", my dad "forgot" to put our name on the door bell of the new apartment even though we were supposed to. 

How on earth having African neighbours can in any way be disturbing you ask?
Lemme make this clear for you then with the help of illustration...


1. They come to "play" (EAT). 

You are forced to say yes, after all, how could you say no? 

"I'm busy"

"Ooh it's no problem, we'll be reaaaally quiet"   

"No. You don't understand, you are NEVER quiet" 

 "I promise we will be this time....pleaaaaaase O.O" 

You see, you just DON'T say no -.- 


Minutes- and I seriously mean minutes- later, they get hungry and you start to ask yourself if they wake up every morning just to disturb your peace. 

They may look cute and all, but don't let yourself be deceived, they are extremely cute when they aren't necessarily jealous of your peace and quiet.

2. They come to drink.

They do not think anything of your being busy. They ask you unnecessary questions whenever they feel like it and God knows ignoring them will cause even more agony. You answer whenever is needed of you.

Approximately 7.5 minutes after having eaten, a drink is requested. And as I said, it is useless to ignore and if you accidentally do ignore in this case, you will find glass shards on your kitchen floor and begin to regret ever letting them in.

They smile at you and reassure you that your getting up and getting them drinks yourself was indeed the right decision.

3. They come to make sure you don't get work done.

I don't think I have to say much here, the fact that this post is uploaded 2 days after the pictures were taken hopefully does explain everything.

All she did was write her name. Don't ask why!

4. They come to poke their noses into your business and lie on your bed.

They don't compliment you on your work, instead they argue about who gets to turn the next page.

Then when they get stressed out from arguing and turning pages, they lie on your bed...and start to fight until someone is on the floor, crying or just admiring the wood.

5. They come to touch...EVERYTHING

She learned to play part of the intro of Rihanna's 'Stay', but still, she was too loud and disturbing!!!  

I hope you now understand what I was trying to point out in the beginning. Having African neighbours can be terrifying, but I love this pair no matter what!! 

Nur im Krieg und in der Liebe ist alles erlaubt!