Finally a Chill Day
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Nairobi, Kenya
Narobbery, Naibeggary, Naiextorsion…
These three words actually were on a notice right next to the front office desk. Well having experienced two out of the three I sympathized with the need for the sign. So I am not excited to be in Nairobi to start with, I’ve heard NOTHING good and NOTHING but danger lurks. Frankly after my experience with Sam the scammer, I have become again the cynical traveler that trusts nobody outside of who I am traveling with and will not talk to strangers on the street. I don’t like this attitude as it limits my ability to mingle and meet the locals, but in this city it clearly is an absolute necessity.
So our first day in Nairobi we use to square away future logistics and my new Kenyan SIM card because even though they are still ZAIN they cannot look at any information about my card from Tanzania.. right.. whatever.. but the new SIM card cost me about $.75 so I didn’t quibble too hard.
We spent the evening at the hotel working on the internet, drinking beer and relaxing in general. A blissfully low drama day.
The next day included a SLOW morning of reading about Madagascar and getting a little more excited about that portion of the trip. After we get moving we decide to go see the giraffe center out on the edge of the city. This was a REALLY cool experience which allowed me to talk with some really knowledgeable and fluent english speaking rangers who let us feed the giraffe and give us a great private talk on how to tell the differences between giraffe, what they eat, where they live, etc, etc, ec. However of course nothing is completely without drama so as we sit in the evening having dinner at the hotel, the TV is showing pictures of riots in Nakuru in Kenya….
Anyone want to take a guess where I am headed tomorrow… you got it.. Nakuru! You just have to laugh and throw out your TIA!
Well, I’m getting picked up at 8am to head out to my safari in the national park which is nowhere near the riots but I’m going to get some sleep anyway.
I find myself feeling very sad that for the first time in 23 years I am going to miss the Michigan home opener.. I hope everyone drinks a beer for me 🙂
