You can read about my few days in Amsterdam here on my travels down to Kenya.
I spent one week in Kenya, which included some time in Nairobi and a few days on safari. I’ve split up what I did over the course of the week in three parts – Part 1 and Part 2 are my exploration of Nairobi and Part 3 is the safari.
Here are this I did over the course of a few days in Nairobi:
Airbnb Experience: Roast and Learn Everything about Coffee
I really enjoy the drive into the estate and the walk around with the guide. It was a beautiful part of the city. It was also an interesting process from growing the plants (which takes 6 years until it is able to produce the fruit that can be harvested) to harvesting (which is on a 9-month cycle at the elevation this particular plantation was at) to the whole processing/roasting of the beans. I had not realized that there were so many grading systems for the beans until this tour. I did learn there is within the three grades (one for exportation and two for non-exportation) there are a number of grades. The grading system links to the size and weight of the bean and it is mostly an automated process.
Urban Adventures: The Resilient Women of Kenya
I loved this tour and it was the highlight of this trip. Two tour guides picked me up from the hotel and drove me to the Living Positive Centre. I received the warmest welcome from the women that were living / working there. They welcomed us with songs before taking us into one of the rooms to sit and share tea / cake. The women introduced themselves (I think there were about 15 women). Most of the women were there to go through the business program so that they could run their own business and earn an income to support themselves and their children. Two of the women shared their stories of how they came to the centre and the successes they have had since running their businesses. Both were now able to give back and mentor the other women in the centre. It was wonderful to be part of the experience and see what the centre was doing for these women.
We then left and drove to meet a Maasai woman who was one of the centre’s success stories. The tour guides gave me the background the woman I was about to meet and difficulties she had in her life before coming to the centre. When we arrived, Peri and her daughter greeted us and guided us to their home. Peri showed me her home and through the tour guides was able to understand the successes Peri had in owning her property (land, home and cattle) and being able to educate her children formally through school. It was great to spend time with Peri and the tour guides – they asked me questions about life in Canada and I was able to ask and hear what life was like from them in Kenya.
Airbnb Experience: The Nairobi Skyline & Maasai Market
On my last day in Nairobi, I met up with Raisa at the Kenyan International Conference Centre. We went up to the top of the centre to get the views of the city. Raisa pointed out some of the things she knew I had already seen during the week as well as the hotel I was staying. Also pointed out was some of the venues that typically used for markets and some of the things we would see later on in the day.
From the top of the centre, we walked through to Uhuru Park across the street. It was a beautiful stroll. I noticed many people in the park (mostly men). Raisa shared that it was lunchtime and there were mostly men because they were finding work (and I guess was they were taking a break). We walked through the park before heading around again to meet a woman selling her items (which I bought a few things).
From the park, we took a matatu (or two) to the Junction Mall where the market was for that day. The matatu was an interesting experience and something I would not do on my own. Why? Language barrier was one and the matatus were mini-vans with no signage letting me know where it was going. Once at the market, we walked through the market, and since I shared with Raisa what I was looking for, she kept an eye out for the items I wanted to get. I bought a few things on the list (but not everything). Raisa was a great help in negotiations but also helping me pick out items that suited what I liked.
After the market, we took a taxi to 3 Dees, a local Nairobi restaurant that served dishes that are typically of one of the Kenyan tribes. On the drive to the restaurant, Raisa pre-ordered the food so that we would not have to wait forever and she was kind enough to make sure I would be ok with the food we were eating. It was a wonderful meal and great conversation. Learned a lot more about Raisa and her life in and out of Nairobi. This was a wonderful way to end my time in Nairobi. Exce
