Safe and sound in Nairobi

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With some tearful goodbyes (no thanks to mum) I made my way to Abu Dhabi. Having travelled before I felt quite comfortable but as this is my first trip on my own I felt pretty nervous.
Barely seeing the inside of Abu Dhabi airport I wouldn't mind seeing more of the capital. The men I likened to stare bears, whether it was intentional or not. I don't know if it was a mating call or a warning off call but they enjoyed making a sound like 'ch' when females walked passed. No spitting just 'ch' repetitively. My brother might understand this.
My flight from Abu Dhabi was practically empty yet somehow the row I was sitting in had every Australian going to Kenya on the flight which was great! I met a couple and their two kids from melbourne who were great fun and live right near where I grew up.

On arrival into Nairobi I was greeted by my driver Aaron who had the brightest smile ever. He is 27 yrs old and has never left Kenya, but you could tell he didn't mind this because his passion for his country was infectious. He was awesome. His family owns a coffee farm. But he didn't actually know what a cappucino/latte/espresso was. I didn't persist with the questions.
Next to the airport was the national park, which was pretty cool but animals rarely come up to the fence so close to the city. We had a good 1.5 hour drive to camp where we exchanged stories of road rules and drinking compared between our two countries. He seemed outraged that my parents didn't mind I drink.

Throughout the whole drive people were walking everywhere. It was like driving on the F3 back home and seeing people just casually walking along the road. It's understandable as many don't own cars yet the lengths they walked were impressive. Aaron was commentating the whole trip so I was informed of the slums and then the rich areas. The contrast is ridiculous but they are so close to eachother.
We passed tea and coffee plantations galore. The fields were so green. Soon we arrived at Brackenhurst Conference Centre in Limuru. This is where I will live for the next 2 weeks with other volunteers. There are two aussies here Cassie and Emily (from melbourne), whom I get along with really well. There is also a mix of americans, germans and british who are also lovely. A few leave pretty soon but more will join us in the next week. Tomorrow a girl named Hannah will join us from Australia and she will be dorming up with me which will be nice, my rooms pretty quiet. Nearly all of us are nurses which I love. The grounds are really nice. I don't actually feel like I'm in Africa, until I look across the hill and see the slums. The girls showed me around as on the weekends its free time and the coordinators aren't here.

Tomorrow Hannah and I will have orientation and begin teaching at the orphanage, I can't wait!! I'm so excited for the next two weeks and can't wait to get involved. I think the nerves have subsided for now 😊

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Photos

Brackenhurst Conference Centre
Brackenhurst Conference Centre, Limuru

Brackenhurst Conference Centre
Brackenhurst Conference Centre, Limuru

Brackenhurst Conference Centre
My room

Brackenhurst Conference Centre, Limuru
Room with a view

Comments

[jenny mc innes]

safe and sound in Nairobi
Dear Ash, thanks for the very quick up date and letting us know that you are safe, we hope that your first day went well at the school. The center and the gardens look great, take care and be safe, love from your family, xxxxxx