Monday, December 21, 2009
Hotels
Every town I've been in I've noticed many "Hotels". Well the signs say hotel, but they do not look like places where anyone would want to stay mainly because of the size.........which is about the size of my cubicle at work. So I've been trying to figure out how such a small space could contain a check-in desk, a bathroom, a bed, privacy, etc. So last night I asked Fred if he had ever been in one, and told him I'd like to see what they look like. Yes, he has been inside, and I shouldn't go. They are not Hotels as we know them, but rather places to buy cooked food-LOL. Shame on me again....
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Headed to Resort
Hi friends, I'm back from Masai Mara (game reserve), and have a broadband connection once again! Anyways, Thursday morning started with us travelling to the city center (downtown Nairobi) to catch a shuttle van. Now, a lot of people use shuttles, buses, and Matatu's to travel between cities, which is fine, but those of you who know me pretty well know that I like things (like travel) to be well organized. No reservations were made...... so imagine my near panic attack when arrived at a gas station that served as a pickup spot. There were people everywhere with luggage, and I couldn't make sense of any it. Good news was Maurine knew what to do, bad news was we were told we couldn't load there because everything was booked, so we had to go to another station (walking with suitcases through the city, without Fred) do you feel my heart beating faster, LOL. The station wasn't too far away and there were only a few people there so it worked out fine :-)
We caught a shuttle (big upgrade from Matatu) to a city called Noruk, about a 2 hour ride. During this stretch I was able to see the Keyan countryside which is full of mountains and hills, very beautiful sights. We also travelled through the Rift Valley which is sunken in, I believe well below sea level, it was creepy yet amazing to view the valley from mountainside. I must admit I held on a little tighter because the drop distance was unbelievable. At Noruk we grabbed a taxi to Masai Mara.
Good thing we didn't try to drive ourselves, because shortly after taking off from Noruk the pavement ended and dirt roads sprung up, with few posting to tell you which way to go. I swear our taxi driver and all others on the road were navigating using a sixth sense. I should note that the roads were more stones than dirt, so the ride was very bumpy, and while dodging gangs of goats and cows, we drove primarily on the shoulder, at an angle because it was "smoother". after about 3 hours we made it to Keekrok Resort.
We caught a shuttle (big upgrade from Matatu) to a city called Noruk, about a 2 hour ride. During this stretch I was able to see the Keyan countryside which is full of mountains and hills, very beautiful sights. We also travelled through the Rift Valley which is sunken in, I believe well below sea level, it was creepy yet amazing to view the valley from mountainside. I must admit I held on a little tighter because the drop distance was unbelievable. At Noruk we grabbed a taxi to Masai Mara.
Good thing we didn't try to drive ourselves, because shortly after taking off from Noruk the pavement ended and dirt roads sprung up, with few posting to tell you which way to go. I swear our taxi driver and all others on the road were navigating using a sixth sense. I should note that the roads were more stones than dirt, so the ride was very bumpy, and while dodging gangs of goats and cows, we drove primarily on the shoulder, at an angle because it was "smoother". after about 3 hours we made it to Keekrok Resort.
Powerelss in the City
The demand for power here is greater than the supply so blackouts are frequent. Tuesday afternoon the power went out at about noon, and was restored just before dinner time. Wednesday it went off again around noon, came back at about 4.......and went off again around 7. The outage was local so not everyone was in the dark. However, the outage caused a big problem for me because Thursday we were planning to travel to a resort- packing in the dark is nothing nice! I am happy to report that I was able to get some things together and luckily we did leave Thursday morning. Good thing we left when we did because the power did not return until sometime on Friday or Saturday.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Big Big City-driving
Nairobi is huge! I have been downtown everyday so far, and there is always a traffic jam getting there. Driving here is something that requires great aggression, if you don't or can't possess it, you will never make it to your destination. I will take a 60 minute wait on 694 anyday compared to this. I have seen about 100 incidents that would have easily been accidents in MN., some caused by the car I was riding in. They have a lot of those roundabout thingys.
In comparison I'd say land wise downtown is about 4 times the size of DT Mpls., with about 5 times as many people.
I have also been on public transportation which is something a horrow film script could be written about. They have these mini-van things called Matatu's which take you pretty much any where you need to go. The hold about 15 passengers, and they were not made for any person above 120lbs. It was quite the squeeze, and you need something to hold onto because these drivers are wild!
Last night we were in a Matatu coming from a dinner party with some relatives. Well there was
"beef" between our van, and another one.....not really sure what it was about, but they were trying to run each other off the road.....I was terrified. I was waiting for gun shots, thank goodness it didn't come to that.
In comparison I'd say land wise downtown is about 4 times the size of DT Mpls., with about 5 times as many people.
I have also been on public transportation which is something a horrow film script could be written about. They have these mini-van things called Matatu's which take you pretty much any where you need to go. The hold about 15 passengers, and they were not made for any person above 120lbs. It was quite the squeeze, and you need something to hold onto because these drivers are wild!
Last night we were in a Matatu coming from a dinner party with some relatives. Well there was
"beef" between our van, and another one.....not really sure what it was about, but they were trying to run each other off the road.....I was terrified. I was waiting for gun shots, thank goodness it didn't come to that.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Response to Habari Gani
So I learned the phrase Habari Gani back in my Clark Atlanta Univerity days. I had a professor named Dr. Black (I've always wondered if Black was his birth name or a name he assumed to match character). Anyways he taught us that Habari Gani was a greeting asking "what's the news?",or "whats up?"'
On Saturday we went to Nairobi National Park which features an animal orphanage, and a nature walk trail where you can observe animals. The park was very busy and we had to wait in line. From the line we saw the admission fees: Kenyan citizen 300 shillings (about 4 USD), US Citizen 15 USD. So I was instructed not to speak any English to pass as a citizen. It seemed like a good idea at the time, how could they know? so I complied, didnt't say a word.
We get to the front of the line, and the guys says 4 Kenyans is 1200 shillings, and 1 US citizen $15. Fred immediately starts to argue about the fee, so they guy asks us to produce ID, I just shook my head no, don't have it. Then he said " Habari Gani?", I stared at him, so he repeated it a couple of times......I had a serious dear in the headlights look on my face because I had no clue what he was asking me. It sounded like baby talk to me, and I just "froze". Fred was not impressed with me not knowing how to respond, and I have been reminded of how I "froze" at least twice a day since Saturday. LOL.
I learned the correct response is Mzuri (good).
.
On Saturday we went to Nairobi National Park which features an animal orphanage, and a nature walk trail where you can observe animals. The park was very busy and we had to wait in line. From the line we saw the admission fees: Kenyan citizen 300 shillings (about 4 USD), US Citizen 15 USD. So I was instructed not to speak any English to pass as a citizen. It seemed like a good idea at the time, how could they know? so I complied, didnt't say a word.
We get to the front of the line, and the guys says 4 Kenyans is 1200 shillings, and 1 US citizen $15. Fred immediately starts to argue about the fee, so they guy asks us to produce ID, I just shook my head no, don't have it. Then he said " Habari Gani?", I stared at him, so he repeated it a couple of times......I had a serious dear in the headlights look on my face because I had no clue what he was asking me. It sounded like baby talk to me, and I just "froze". Fred was not impressed with me not knowing how to respond, and I have been reminded of how I "froze" at least twice a day since Saturday. LOL.
I learned the correct response is Mzuri (good).
.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
WOW- Football
I can't beleive this, I'm watching the Giants and Eagles game live, just like home, except its 7:45 AM here.
The Arrival
Habari Gani (greetings)!
The first 48 hours have been great...I suppose I should back up a little to properly set the scene for you.
We made it to the airport with just a few ticks before boarding. Our first destination was Newark, and we took a small jet there. This was my first time touching down on the East coast, and therefore my first time seeing the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty live and in person-very exciting for me!!
Our stay there was short, and the next stop was Brussels, Belgium. I must say the plane ride was very relaxing, they constantly serve food and drinks which is a great distraction. One thing I thought was pretty cool, is they have real time animation showing you where you are, how far away your destination is, and the time & temperature. Minnesotan's I now know there is a least 1 place colder, its about 30,000 feet up- 56 degrees below zero!
After Brusels (about 8 hour flight) our next stop was Entebbe, Uganda, and finally made it to Nairobi a couple of hours later a little after 11 pm here. Friday night we shared laughs well into the morning.
Saturday and Sunday we had fun as well, so much so that those days need their own posts...stay tuned for that and to meet my hosts!
The first 48 hours have been great...I suppose I should back up a little to properly set the scene for you.
We made it to the airport with just a few ticks before boarding. Our first destination was Newark, and we took a small jet there. This was my first time touching down on the East coast, and therefore my first time seeing the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty live and in person-very exciting for me!!
Our stay there was short, and the next stop was Brussels, Belgium. I must say the plane ride was very relaxing, they constantly serve food and drinks which is a great distraction. One thing I thought was pretty cool, is they have real time animation showing you where you are, how far away your destination is, and the time & temperature. Minnesotan's I now know there is a least 1 place colder, its about 30,000 feet up- 56 degrees below zero!
After Brusels (about 8 hour flight) our next stop was Entebbe, Uganda, and finally made it to Nairobi a couple of hours later a little after 11 pm here. Friday night we shared laughs well into the morning.
Saturday and Sunday we had fun as well, so much so that those days need their own posts...stay tuned for that and to meet my hosts!
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