We're from Nairobi and we're on the ball...

The cannibals may eat us, but they'll never beat us
'Cuz we're from Nairobi and we're on the ball

Singing un-ga-wah, un-ga-wah, un-ga-wah, un-ga-wah

Those aren't the exact words I learned as a a child, but they're close. Needless to say, no one's eating anyone; and they probably don't teach that song at camp anymore (just like they no longer sit kids down indian style). Dut I digress...

Anyhow, the people of Nairobi are certainly on the ball. This is a thriving city with plenty going on (and I'm told things are "slow" right now - it must be completely crazy when things are fully hopping). Today, after relocating to cheaper accomodations (tonght I'll be paying almost 1/3 what I paid last night), I wandered the city taking in the sights and sounds, and a few museums. I also got to stand on the heli-pad at the top of the Second-Tallest-Building-in-Nairobi (darn it all if the tallest-building didn't HAVE a heli-pad for me to stand on). Great view (I'll post it when I get home - yes, more photos!).

I stumbled onto a street filled with vendors selling "this and that." It SO reminded me of Korea. And it wasn't a touristy thing (obviously - there are no other tourists in Kenya right now). This was true Nairobi selling itself to each other. I loved it - and I bought some stuff.

My guide at the top of the Conference Center (Irene) gave me a good overview of the city, the buildings, the history, the views, etc... She even pointed me to a find place to eat dinner (but I decided to hold off and eat there later in the weak). All things considered, a great day. Heck, I even saw two Hindu Temples, several shot-guns, a gazillion matatus (mini-bus-taxis), and I had a guy invite me to sit down to a nice cup of coffee and discuss America (specifically whether or not there is discrimination there) - I refused his offer.

Anyhow, yeah. Niarobi. Fun place. And honestly, it seems like a safe enough place (on par with several other internation cities I've visited). Sure, I'm watching my back and I'm guard. But I guess I kinda like the adventure of randomly exploring and experiencing, while at the same time protecting and defending.

Solitary Vagabond...

PS Uhuru Park (apparently now world famous) even looks calm and peacefull (from the heli pad). I'll let you know what it really looks like later (yes Mom - after I've been there).

Staff: 25 - Guests: 6

After landing on a dirt runway (yes, but recently renovated: longer, winder, and smoother) - we took a 30 minutes drive through safari-land to the Royal Mara Lodge Located In Masai Mara. We saw giraffes and other wonders (and this wasn't even technically a "game drive." But, who am I to stop nature from doing its thing on its own timetable.

Wow!

Edward, our driver, told us that our hotel (which usually accommodates 160 people during peak season - July/August) was a running a bit under occupancy. Apparently, no one got the word (from the pilot) that Kenya is still a wonderful, safe, and beautiful place to visit this time of year (or simply - this year).

It made for a very odd experience, having a hotel staff that outnumbered the guests 4 to 1! Even so, I'm not complaining. It meant that instead of a buffet - we got gourmet meals hand prepared by the head chef (and wow - those meals were some of the best I've had - ever). Also, out on Safari - we avoided the "safari experience" of being in a line to see the animals. Instead of 20+ vans of people cruising around looking for lions, hippose, rhinos, etc... there were 3 (maybe 4). We had the land to ourselves and had a bast!

Anyhow - to repeat. Now is the time to Safari in Kenya!


Notice how empty the pool is.

This is Your Pilot Speaking

We flew to/from the Safari (thus avoiding the long, bumping, tedious "bus" ride). It cost a bit, but the whole adventure was well worth it.

One thing that stood out was the pilot handing me a box of mints on the plane as we prepared to take off and suggested that everyone enjoy one as an in-flight-snack. I think there were 11 of us on the flight (including the flight crew).

Anyhow, I felt like perhaps I was on the set of Indiana Jones, since our plane was about that same size/build as the ones he used to travel the world (maybe a bit newer): 2 props, a couple doors, plenty of window seats (don't ask how I managed not to get one), low altitude flights and flight durations (jumping from airport to airport) ranging from 6 minutes to 35 minutes. Fun times.

On our return flight, our pilot (American, I think) took a moment to encourage us to do the following (tell our friends about how great is is to visit Kenya and how the news reports are "probably true, but certainly unbalanced." His point being (and I paraphrase as I fulfill my assignment): large parts of Kenya are safe. Really! And super cool to visit. We had a wonderful time on Safari and never once worried about the unrest that is plaguing other parts of this country. Come, enjoy the spectacular that is Kenya.

There. Done. I could go on, and I will in another entry. Thing is, it was just funny to have the pilot of our airplane basically pleading with us to remind our friends and neighbors that there is still a wonderful, but apparently overlooked (currently) vacation destination (a destination that his job depends on you visiting, I presume).

So yeah: Visit Kenya. I highly recommend it.

Safari!

OK, that's probably the fastest safari on the planet (actually - I'm kind of willing to guarantee such). We flew out of Nairobi at 10 am yesterday and returned (having seen much - see below) today at 1 pm. So, pretty-much a 24 hour trip into the wilderness.

And yet - to be frank - I think I saw what I "needed to." We saw four of the "Big Five" (Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo) - we never found a Leopard. We also crossed paths with various birds, hippos, giraffes, wilder beasts, butterflies, hyenas, gazelles, and more. And yes - I took a few pictures (actually more than a few - 8).

Thing about the photos... I took many of them with my new friend (Sara Durden)'s camera. She brought a slcik 10.2 mega-pixel Nikon D40 SLR. Needless to say, I now want one. Sadly, she got quite sick and had to skip our 24 hour adventure into Masai Mara - but she was kinda enough to suggest that I take her camera with me. [Now the trick: to get the photos from her - she lives on the east cost, and I don't.]

Anyhow, we got really close to so many different animals. So much so, that the gazelles that amazed in during hour-one were "old hat" by the time we had to leave. Funny how that happens. Even so, I kept clicking the shutter. I'll see what I can do to whittle down the number of photos (for those who care to browse the highlights).

Hakuna Matata

Don't worry. I've survived (and completely enjoyed) my week away from civilization - yet I couldn't stay away from the internet for another moment.

I've pretty much decided thought that I'll be writing up the trip and all the adventures... after I return. Time is short and the computer options are somewhat limiting.

Suffice it to say, things are grand. Our travel group has been a great mix of people from around the US. Three of us were new to Kenya, and the other six helped us to quickly adjust.

The people near Kitundu were wonderful and I took a bazillion photos of smiling kids (as well as hard working adults and amazing landscapes). The work we did there was exhausting, but the impact will be nothing shy of amazing.

From here, we head out to a safari. We'll be sleeping in "tents" tomorrow night, but I'm told these aren't normal tents.

Anyhow, that's enough to let you know I'm alive and well and enjoying myself. If you've been checking back looking for updates, thanks for up-ing my web counter and I appologize for the limited entries. I promise to make up for it later. And if you haven't been checking, then - well - I congratualte you on not wasting time on the internet.