Expat talk: Westgate still invokes sad, painful memories

By Denise Gordon | 8yrs ago | 2 min read

I cannot imagine that there was anyone who was not affected by the Westgate tragedy. I remember many years ago visiting the US during my Peace Corps days in Senegal. The day I landed was the day of a mass shooting at a McDonald’s in the midwestern state of Ohio.

I do not remember the details, but I am sure it was something senseless. It was such a tragedy for the tiny town that they elected to demolish the restaurant in the hope of ridding the community of the awful memories.

Following the Westgate terror attack, I felt just like that tiny town and felt Westgate should be torn down. Would the healing of the community take precedence over the rebuilding of coffers? What they did was put a PR spin on it and tried to do both. Whether Westgate was there or not made no difference to me because I was NEVER setting foot in that place. Well, that was until my favorite manicurist in the world, Susan Mwaura, took a job at a salon in Westgate.

I could not believe it. I was so conflicted. Could I, in all earnest, possibly return to Westgate? Could I live without my five-year manicurist? Well, one look at my nails after a 60-day rest from the salon answered that question. It was a weak moment of truth for me; I had to get my nails done at all cost.

Driving towards the parking lot, I just took a deep breath hoping lightning would not strike twice. I knew there wouldn’t be a tired security guard with a ‘wand’ going through the motions of waving it over my body. There was intense scrutiny as the guards opened the glove compartment and did some sort of electronic ‘bomb search.’ Looking at the guards in bullet proof vests did not make me feel any secure, mainly because I did not have one for myself.

Once inside, I felt even heavier. I walked slowly, looking around and craning my neck to see the differences. ArtCaffe has changed positions. Nakumatt has a lifestyle store where the grocery section used to be. KFC is on the way and Gourmet Burger is a new restaurant in town. My driver caught up with me inside. He was told he could not sit in the car in the parking area.

My visit to Westgate was a mixture of disjointed feelings: It felt like a spiritual cleansing was needed.

Life goes on indeed. You should have seen me willing to ‘risk’ my life for a good manicure.