Ok, so here's the story...

Once upon a time we were in Africa, Kenya to be specific.? We had planned to go to Tanzania as well.? Unfortunately Africa was much more expensive than we had anticipated.? It was the low tourist season and therefore nobody would bargain with us and we were constantly over charged.? Also, the lack of tourists made two American girls stick out - way too much.? It felt like everyone was looking at us.? We were frequently warned by cab drivers about how dangerous it is there.? We were told not to go out after dark so our hostel became our fortress at sunset.? The girl we went to Mombassa with witnessed a mugging within 30 minutes of arriving in the city - in broad daylight.? Because it's the rainy season all of the things we would have done in Tanzania wouldn't have been much fun and transportation is slow and costly.? 1 hour in Kenyan time means 3 hours - that might be a small exaggeration - but our 13 hour train ride to the coast turned out to be 22. ?

Africa does have a lot to offer other than fear and crime.? Seriously.? Perhaps better planning and prearrangements of trips, transport, and lodging would have made the difference.? It is, after all, the ultimate drive through zoo.? Ha.

The last day we were there we took a guided trip to Kibera, the biggest slum in East Africa.? Much to our surprise the people were friendly.? The children constantly said, "How are you? How are you? How are you?", and wanted to touch us.? The men shook our hands and the women smiled.? We were never once asked for money - which is quite a change from downtown Nairobi and every other place we went.? There are around 1 million people living in Kibera which sits on 500 acres.? It's an ex military base where people from Sudan and Kenya were brought as refugees after World War II.? It wasn't meant to be permanent housing but 60 years later and it's still going strong.? It was featured in The Constant Gardener.? The government has chosen to forget about Kibera.? Police won't go there so Kiberians police themselves.? They have less crime than Nairobi - by far.? They pay taxes to the government but they don't have access to government run schools.? If a child goes to school their family has to pay tuition for private school which nobody can afford.? They have a 30% AIDS rate but no health care.? Despite their poverty the people of Kibera are happy and proud.? Africa happens to have the lowest suicide rate in the world.? In Kibera everyone is able to find a job.? Some work in small shops or have a trade.? They have large families - often 10 or more kids.? They don't have a lot of food but they aren't starving. ?

We left Kenya after 10 days and went to Istanbul, Turkey.? Gobble.? Gobble.? 99.8% of Turks smoke in public.? Smoking is allowed on buses, movie theaters, and pretty much everywhere else.? But other than the smoke, Turkey is majestic and awe-inspiring.? We spent most of our time in Istanbul and saw the typical tourist sites such as the Blue Mosque, the Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar.? We also went to the center of Turkey to an area called Cappadocia.? It's like a mesa the size of a big mac.? Ha. ?

Now we're in the Netherlands.? Amsterdam looks like a puzzle.? Typical European canals.? Very clean.? We don't mind the smoke here :)? We started couch surfing which means we use this website (www.couchsurfing.com) to find free places to stay all over the world.? Considering a hostel bed in this city costs around $30.00 a night - free is the way to be.? So far we've eaten enough food to last us 34 days in the desert.? It's nice to blend into the crowds of people.? The Euro and the dollar are having a bad day.? The Euro is like, "I am more worthy than you." and the dollar is like "I know - that's why I'm crying." ?

Where to next?? Maybe The Czech Republic - maybe straight on to Germany - maybe even Budapest.? Oh lala.

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