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Habari za asubuhi. Good morning!
Well after two days in transit from Vancouver to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Nairobi I can safely say that Mama Africa has opened her arms to me and even at first sight I feel at home, minus the safety issues.
The flight from Vancouver to Amsterdam was long and without sleep. With only 5 hours of sleep before I left, and only about an hour on the flight I was exhausted when I arrived. Contrary to what they told me in Vancouver I was able check my huge bags through so I didn’t have to go through any luggage claiming when I arrived in Schipol airport. I was greeted by Rene, who was waiting for me. As soon as we arrived at Ingrid and Rene’s house I had an opportunity to have a quick espresso, freshen up and then we went off to take the train into Amsterdam centre. While excited to FINALLY see the city where everyone rants and raves about I was fighting my need for sleep. Rene had a good laugh at my constant yawning and reassuring him that I would make it.
We had a quick 3 hours to walk
around, do a little shopping, have a pint, see some highlights- canals, shops, “coffee” shops, the red light district (which I was informed was most likely going to close down in about 2 years… Which is shame for some of you I know.. haha), hit one of the most popular pubs in the city, and then back on the train to meet Ingrid, have a shower and then off for a night out in Haarlem. I did manage to have an hour nap (thank god). Ingrid and Rene took me to this great little bar where a 60-something year old DJ and the most random of Holland gathered for great music and drinks to celebrate Queen’s Day. (Emily—your WTF blogs would have been been on fire). 1230am rolled around and I was physically unable to stay awake any longer. We headed home after quickly walking through a carnival where in my sleep deprived state had the need to drop 2,50 E on three balls to knock down 9 cans… I missed a couple, go figure!
We were up at 630am to help Ingrid set up for the fleamarket then off to the airport. Schipol airport at 830am is not
Hollands transportation
Because of small streets and the crowded population the majority of travel is done via bicycle. fun. At first sight it is the most unorganized, chaotic airport you have ever seen. But when you finally give up trying to understand how it all works and regain your objective to get to your gate you realize its really a system that works- you just fight your way through the crowds, put your backpack on the front of you, duck under ropes and jump over bags and hope to god that no one trips you or calls security.
We were about 45 minutes late for arriving and it took about an hour to get my bags after customs and my visa but a driver was patiently waiting for me.
Njoroge and Kevina's car broken a few hours before they were suppose to come and get me so they sent George a local driver for me. I am very fortunate to stay in an amazing compound as Kevina works for the UNDP and Njoroge is who I will be doing my work here with.
So far I have learnt that Nairobi has everything one needs and it probably the only province in Africa that you can buy just about anything you want in the city but
not on the outskirts including a Beverly Hills type of shopping mall for those who are rich. That you can never safety walk anywhere at night; regardless of who you are, that people get killed on the spot for stealing and you will most likely not get charged if there was some type of reason as to why you killed, car hijacking happen all the time and you HAVE to keep your doors locked, but most of all that Kenyans who have not been impoverished and are in survival mode are amazing people with big hearts. I'm really looking forward to learning more and exploring this completely different world of extremes.
I know this next month will be filled with so many new things...I will be working with some amazing people and doing some incredible work. I have already started planning my 3 day safari, my weekend excursion to Lamu, and have been asked to be a guest speaker at a workshop with the Red Cross and AYT with the topic of Leadership. Between the elephant orphanage, safari, weekend get away, work, travelling to some villages to meet with young women in their communities, and going to distribute the
Lunapad products many of you contributed you I think my month will be full-not to mention all the other things in between.
This weekend I had an opportunity to go a peace rally with some incredible performance, great speakers and a famous local music artist that had a song used for peace during the rwanda war amazing voices. Eric, also holds a weekly underground music event for youth at the British Embassy where local youth talent can share their work. I'm hoping to go next weekend. After the event we headed to a wedding of a Intl Embassy advocate with over 400 people in a field.. the music, traditional dancers, and colourful apparel kept me an awe.
As Kevina, Njoroge and I hit a Massai market for some cravings at local art on Sunday I quickly realized that bargaining in one part of the world to the next isnt really at that different. The only difference is the intensity of ones voice. Kenyan's are far more persistent sales people but are quiet and direct where as in India they are loud and pushy. Getting a good deal is an art and takes alot of patience anywhere you go.
Children from the city slum
About a hundred kids from the slum came to the rally in a field behind their community... Well I can safely say my first week was pretty tame. Over the next two weeks I will be doing alot of exploring including one of the biggest slums in Africa.
Hope this finds you well and you enjoy the pictures along the way...
I'll write more as things progress... Hope everyone is well!!
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sonia
non-member comment
amazing
Lo Thanks for the update. The culture seems out of this world. Keep in touch as you can. Sonia