Nairobi

Well the flight to Nairobi didn't go quite as well as to Dubai being squashed between two large smelly men in the middle of the plane. I then proceeded to watch Bucket List got very excited when they were on safari and then made an arse of myself crying when one of the characters died! Onto Nairobi it was pleasantly warm but raining! As promised there was a taxi waiting for me to take me to the hostel. I cant say my first impression of the city was very favourable since the roads are little better than dirt tracks. The drivers all appear to be maniacs ond on a two-lane carriageway overtake and undertake with no regard to anyone's safety. It is quite normal for the carriageway to have 5 cars across it and if their patience has run out they just go onto the gravel or pavement to undertake!
We passed a lot of really poor areas where people's only accomodation comprised of 2 or 3 pieces of corrugated iron hastily leant together. I saw children scrabbling in piles of rubbish beside the road and loads of men walking dangerously through the traffic trying to sell their wares consisting of anything from pillows to potato peelers! Having said all of this I was waved at hundreds of times and treated to the most beautiful genuine smiles I have ever seen. A few shouts of "Hello Sister" also accompanied my journey. The hostel itself was a beautiful paradise with a large garden and an old building. Two gorgeous dogs greeted me enthusiastically as did all the staff. I was a little disappointed to find only 4 guests including myself but otherwise couldnt have wished for a better place to call home.
Waiting for the shuttle bus to tak eme to Arusha I didnt want to waste any time so headed off to the giraffe sanctuary where I met the gorgeous residents including a couple of warthogs (Pumbas). I got very close to the giraffes and was even kissed by one, cant say I'd do it again though! Headed back to town to wait for the shuttle, ended up delayed due to a poor woman having her lap-top stolen in the bus queue. I think the common saying is "This Is Africa!!!" Onto Kili next - oh my God!

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