Hello from Nairobi (the capital of Kenya). I realize that I've never blogged from here, having done my time in Kenya from '99-'06. My last time here was on my way to Ethiopia, even before I started the Ferenge Addis Blog. I'm here on a dubious assignment, but happy to be in Kenya again nonetheless.
Kenya is a relatively well-developed country these days. The infrastructure is not bad: electricity has only gone out about four times during my two-week stay. The internet is pretty good, and cell phone service is great, due to stiff competition between several companies. At the airport I bought a SIM card for my "Africa phone" (cost $3.50) and some airtime and I'm all set with a local number. Everyone in our work has an Africa Phone, which is usually a cheap Nokia, and a box of SIM cards from all over the world. I have SIMs from Israel, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia (2), Swaziland, and South Africa in a little plastic case. I used to have one from the US, T-Mobile, but the SOBs cancelled my account for non-use, even though I had $50 worth of credit on it. "Terms of service" indeed.
Anyway, I was walking from the Nairobi Java House, a mzungu* hangout where I had breakfast, back to the Serena, along Kenyatta Avenue, the main road through downtown, beside Central Park. I got chatted up three times. This happens in Nairobi: people want to know where you're from. When I was first here in '99 I thought they were scamming me, and I was kind of rude, looking back on it. Now I get it and just talk with people. My only rule: no stopping. Usually they ask where I"m from, and then ask how I like Kenya, and maybe sometimes ask why I'm here. Then they go on about their business. Once in a while the young guys want to talk about football (soccer) and ask which team I'm supporting. I just say "Reál Madrid" to avoid the conversation that inevitably ensues if I say "I don't watch football" and people think they must have misunderstood me.
One of the guys today did try to talk me out of some money. He was a well-dressed man who looked 100% Kenyan. His story was that he was a refugee from Khartoum, a college professor, trying to make it to Zambia where there was an organization that would help him make it to the UK. And you know, it really could have been true. I expressed my heartfelt sorrow for his predicament, but didn't give him any money. I could have spared it, but...
What would you have done?
*Mzungu" means "white person" just like "ferenge" in Ethiopia.
Hi Marc, it seems you have had a nice time in Kenya. if you have time while you are in Addis please give me a call. 0911347047.
Abebe
Posted by: Abebe | May 17, 2010 at 02:39 AM