Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Nairobi National Park offered an expansive morning view out our window this morning; three ostriches off in the distance, but alas, no giraffes or rhinos. The park is the only national park in Africa within a city. No elephants kept here; too destructive and dangerous to be right in the city. We could identify several birds as we sat on the veranda at breakfast. Our hotel is on the previous U.S. embassy, which has now moved further out of town after incidents in the 60s and 70s. Its owners are Indian, a large minority in Kenya, hence some familiar Indian dishes on the breakfast and dinner buffets.
With a driver, Jacob, from the hotel we set off to explore the city for the afternoon. Not that much to look at, but interesting to see a small African capital; the maze of traffic and fast drivers, crumbling sidewalks, pedestrians everywhere on all the roads. New buildings being built by the Chinese who bring in their own workers, not using locals. The large city park with people lying or sleeping on the lawns. Kenyan youth face a 40% unemployment rate (!) not helped by the Chinese. We visited the National Museum with its stuffed mammals, including the broad range in size of antelopes each with unique horns (will I ever be able to keep them straight?), the collection of prehistoric man (skull and skeletal fragments, most unearthed by the Leakeys around Lake Turkana in northern Kenya), as well as cultural artifacts from some of the 43 Kenyan tribes.
A market out in the Karen section of the city (named after Karen Blixen of Out of Africa frame) was overflowing with wood carvings made for tourists, but had antique masks and spears that would have been fun to bring home. Further on, the Kazari bead factory, selling handmade jewelry for the past 30 years made by (now) over 300 disadvantaged women. So beautiful, so hard to choose! In contrast to the Karen section, we passed the Kibera slum, the second largest slum in Africa. Truly unbelievable, tin shacks literally on top of each other, no breathing space between, much less sanitation facilities. According to Jacob, shaking his head, efforts to provide suitable housing have been rejected by residents who want to live as they have always lived. Contrasted again by late lunch at Carnivore, supposedly the most famous restaurant in Nairobi, but ironically the meat in the huge roasting pit was not done yet so we settled for a delicious soup of butternut squash, coconut milk and lemon grass, with a hint of curry.
Dinner with some of our group on the veranda. All seven of us have arrived, including Terry, our guide, although the couple from Canada's luggage is MIA. We're on our way tomorrow morning.
- comments
Tracey Been there done those things and ate at Carnivores. Even played golf at the golf course in Nairobi with a caddy because the rule was had to have hire a caddy to carry the clubs, rented OLD clubs and the course was not in very good shape, but interesting. Also searched all over the market in Nairobi for an authentic "bean" game with real beans like the ones we saw in Zanzibar. I really liked that little National Park in the city, saw Leopards in there and not any of the other parks. Have fun this will be an interesting trip.
Cathy Stu wants to know if your guide is Terry Stevenson.
Suzi Yes, our third trip with Terry!
Judy Hey! On my way home from Denver... Cait loved the Kazari beads, coming home with all kinds of necklaces, earrings, bracelets. Hope y’all have a great trip- I’m looking forward to reading all about it!