First Day in Kenya...

So far, not a fan of Kenya. The city here seems to be a city that decided to try modernity in the 70's. They failed and haven't updated much of anything since then. I started the day by going to a mall where I could get a computer serviced for a friend. I found the place and looked around some of it was interesting. I couldn't remember what I was supposed to do I in a place like that.

The number of white people here and amount of English spoken amazes me. This morning I was missing home pretty badly (and I mean my home in Africa). I kept catching myself speaking Amharic to people.

The part of the day I did enjoy started just after leaving that mall. I was warned not to be very careful if I chose to ride what I ride most often at home. It is like a small van. These seat 14 people and run specific routes. They are a very cheap form of transportation. This made me feel like I was back home with the people I love.

I rode for a while on 46, the one I was told to find. Then a man asked where I was going and I told him. He told me I passed it. Come to find out I got on 46 going the wrong way. I rode out into a small village like area of the city. It had dirt roads and little shops. It was my favorite part of the day. It looked like Africa!

I came back to my guesthouse to drop off some things and then went to a closer mall. I braved the vans again. This time I got on the right ones and got where I wanted. I was again disappointed though. The mall was rundown and didnt have anything very interesting. Man I miss Best Buy.

The funniest part of the day was the security guards in these malls. One helped me use an ATM...forgot my PIN. I had noticed his outfit just before starting. He wore black pants and shoes (normal), with a black nightstick (normal). His shirt was purple or blue (kind of weird, but almost normal) and he wore a black tie. Then came the shocker, on his head was a helmet. It was a baseball-batting helmet. No joke it was dead on a batting helmet...complete with the ear holes. I laughed a bit and finished my withdrawal. Later in the day I saw another. I was thankful for his ability to bring a smile to my face.