First day in Kenya--Nairobi

---

Despite my ever present fear of dying in an airplane crash, I made it to Nairobi without a snag. I pretty much slept the entire way from Amsterdam...which was a bad idea because now my schedule is all screwed up and I have a touch of jet lag. Besides that, though, I'm very surprised with what I've seen so far. This is my first time in Africa and my boss was prepping me before I left. I kind of expected chaos when I got off the plane, like it was in India. It's not like that at all here. Even in Nairobi there is sense of calm in the air. In fact, several notable differnces exist in my first impression of Kenya versus India.... There is no fowl odor in the air, there is not a million farm animals roaming the streets, I have not been starred at since I arrived, people have a concept of personal space, there is not the sound of horns blarring constantly....you get the idea. I do love India, but Kenya feels so much more serene. Oh, and the food (whether African or ethnic) has been amazing so far (and cheap). Last night when I arrived I walked from my guest house to a popular expat spot called Casablanca. This place is unbelievable...I sat at the restaurant on a candlelit terrace and had a two course meal and a beer for about 13 USD!...and it was good! I'm really happy so far and I think I will love it here. There is a really good energy in the air.

Tomorrow, I will start work at the CARE Kenya office on the project. I have an early meeting scheduled with the study staff.

So far so good. I'll be in touch,
Tyler

---

Comments

[Bill]

Nairobi's "serenity"
...wait till your first visit to Kibera....;) Glad you made it there, and looking forward to following your adventure. I hope that the beer you had last night was a Kenya beer (I think it's called Tusk or something like that.) People don't stare at you, but they may stare at your shoes. Don't know what that's all about. Hope you get to meet Maureen and Wycliffe tomorrow.