Blog From Abroad: Kenya

Warning: I'm in a hurry so no proofreading took place.

Where do I begin? It's Thursday, I've been in Kenya since Tuesday evening. Yesterday I traveled through Nairobi with my Amy, my girlfriend, and Willie, a friend of the family's. When I arrived in Nairobi it was of course in the airport. The people were nice enough, the airport is old but well maintained. Pretty much everybody spoke English. We got our luggage and headed out to the airport. An old man said Jambo to me and it was then that I realized that American must be stamped on my forehead.

We met Amy's cousin and her husband at the front of the airport and began putting luggage in the back of the vehicle. This is significant because a man rushed up helped us put a bag in the trunk and then demanded at least two dollars. I gave him one and smiled because I felt like I hadn't left Baltimore in that moment.

For the Detroiters and Baltimorians. You won't belive me, but thus far the quality of the roads are better than in both the D and Bmore. I was joking with a cousin of mine about the possiblity. Can't wait to get home to tell him.

From what I can see, Kenya is a modern city. Large buildings, some of which are older and from the middle of the last century, others which are made of the same all glass design of the modern skyscraper. When I walked through Nairobi, I saw tons of local chain stores, plenty of suited up business people, and agressive drivers.

I took whats called a matatu into town. The city of Nairobi has a private bus system, with enterprising people buying small Honda vans and choosing a route. The spontaneous order that capitalist espouse has taken place in regards to public transportation here.

Traffic is crazy in Nairobi, its crowded and you have to be a stunt driver to get through, add in the fact that they drive on the opposite side of the road and I doubt an American could drive here.

The food is good. I ate a lot of Kenyan food before I got here, so I'm at least familiar with it. It's worth checking out if you get the chance.

I speak about Swahili like a three year old, but luckily English is one of the languages here. Any way, I'm having a blast. This is a stamp that you need to get on your passport.