Nairobi

I flew into Nairobi Kenya today. Having some exposure to Africa I had a mental image of things I had seen before only multiplied knowing that it is the largest city in the country. Once again my eyes were opened even wider as nothing was as I expected. Nairobi is a city similar to ones we all know, busy streets filled with cars, large buildings and stores, apartments and housing tracks crowded with people all over, combined with the reality of a third wold country staring you in the face. 

Through town you can see business men and women walking the streets and along side of them a man pulling a massive cart filled with produce, construction materials or water jugs; looking like some sort of animal heaving as much as possible from one destination to the next. The roads seem to be without rules. When in a traffic jam,  no need to worry, you can always pass on either side of the shoulder, go off roading or use sidewalks if needed. Air quality is not something anyone has any concept of, I’ve never seen so much exhaust in the air or trash on the ground. Where ever you are there is sure to be goats, sheep, cows and chickens roaming. To be honest, its all together a bit out of control. 

Staying at a guesthouse for one night before being put in my placement a few hours away, I had some time to get to know a new group of people. Everyone starting at the same time but all placed differently so no need to get attached. Some of us getting the itch to explore the area we set out on a short walk to the market. Feeling like a celebrity, eyes gawk at the only white people for miles. The word Muzungo is shouted from all directions (swahili for white people). Collecting kids behind us as we walk. 

Our return home was just as eventful but not nearly as amusing. Just before entering the gated community to the house we were staying in a man just steps in front of us collapsed, started ciezing and foaming at the mouth. In shock, we had no idea what to do. Looking around all the locals continued to walk past, most not even giving a second thought about it. It felt like we just stared forever waiting for him to move, then decided to go consult with the women of the guesthouse. Shocking to us all, they said, “just leave him, it happens all the time... he’ll be fine”. It may be normal for Kenya, but it still didn’t settle well with me. I stepped outside again to see if he had moved multiple times in the next hour, nothing. Eventually he was gone. 

Today was just an introduction to some of the situations I will see here. Not things that I want to get used to but things that I will have to accept.