First impressions: Nairobi

Jambo!

I got off the plane, aching as one does after exisiting for eight hours against a cold, hard airplane window. One talent I do possess is the ability to fall asleep in any place and at any time and, thankfully, airplanes are no exception. I spent the flight drifting in and out of sleep with a brief foray into the movie selection. I watched half of the new Minions*, decided it wasn't worth it, and put my head back against the all to comfotable thin, paper-y pillow the airlines provide. Getting through the airport and customs was very easy and I picked up my suitcase ready to go. I was greeted at the gate by Tony, a driver, and after changing some money (I will not get used to holding a note with the number '1000' on it) we were off. Tony took it upon himself to inform me of everything I should know about the city of Nairobi. I have collected the most interesting tidbits below:

1) There is grass growing in the lucious red soil in the middle of the highway because Obama has just visited. They brought in the soil and made sure everything looked very pretty. I asked him what he thought of the visit, he responded that it was annoying because traffic was worse than usual.

2) Go see the Giraffes and the elephants. I have had time to do one of these things (keep reading and you will find out which - I know, I just really keep you on your toes).

3) Lock your doors when you are driving. People will reach in through the windows and grab your glasses, your phone, the drink out of your hand.

4) Matatus. These are a species of driver unto themselves. Matatus are essentially the only kind of group transport around Nairobi - they are little minivans and are privately owned. They do not obey the laws of the road. They act as though traffic lights do not exist, or really the road for that matter. One overtook us going up the side of a hill to get around us. I was amused and a little terrified.

The drive took about an hour and a half as there was a lot of traffic on the roads. Nairobi is a city teeming with life - not just people but animals too. There were huge storks in beautiful jacaranda trees (which are in full bloom!), cows and also the occasional donkey strolled non chalantly up the highway.

Here in Nairobi, I am staying with a cousin of my family, Kasiunia** Sapieha. Kasiunia's mother was a cousin of my grandmother but she has introduced me as he neice and I have gotten quite firm instructions that she is Ciocia (Aunt) Kasiunia. Kasiunia has lived here her life with a few years spent studying in Poland. She speaks English, Polish, Kiswahili, French, and German - what are you doing with your life?

As soon as I got out of the car, I was greeted by a very large black dog. And then another one. Then a large golden dog and a big brown one came up and said hello. I also noticed something licking at my ankles and noticed two little dogs yapping at my heels for attention. Kasiunia has six dogs and they are all gorgeous! Here is a picture of one of the younger ones, Kili:

After saying our hellos (and finishing our introductions - I have only met Kasiunia once when I was much younger - we ate lunch. The afternoon was spent exploring the garden (pictures to follow in the next post) and then sitting down to dinner. I wish I could say I was a lovely and entertaining guest, but after a long, long day - my body just wanted to lie down and my eyes were itching to close. That evening, I am fairly sure that I fell asleep to the chatter of a monkey sitting outside my window. Then in the morning, I was woken with this delivery:

TEA! A lovely way to start the day. Although if life continues as it does, I may die from tea overdose. There is too much around for a tea-aholic like me and I am drinking it by the gallon.

A note before I sign off: we are going to the coast this weekend and I do not think I will have internet again until I am in Johannesburg. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT PANIC. It will all be okay. There will be a break in blog entries but I will be back before you know it with many stories to tell. I know this separation will be hard for both of us but I know we can survive it together. To keep you interested, here is a little teaser from today: I got kissed by a giraffe!

Sending much love, and until next time! Kwaheri xx

*I LOVE MINIONS. THEY ARE AMAZING. However, this movie was a little on the childish side for me. Normally I love how well the balance is struck between entertaining both children and the adults that are accompanying them but in this case apart from a few hilarious moments - this movie was not up to scratch for my tastes.

**Pronounced Kashunya.

#Nairobi #Kenya #Firstimpressions