Life in Nairobi

Everything seems familiar, like everyone knows my name. Nairobians always greet you with a smile and an inquisitive look, their warmth exudes their handshake and greeting. Have been here before because the surroundings seem oddly familiar. The landscape bares the markings of a equatorial climate (which I assume Nairobians enjoy during a majority of the year since Nairobi sits nearly on the equator) although currently the southern hemisphere is coming out of the winter season and entering into spring. Nairobi is a mile above sea level (nestled 5,450 ft above to be exact) and is especially cool right now, to some degree bone chillingly cool. I wear a sweater around the apartment and about town. If you have ever spent a misty 58 degree autumn day outdoors, away from a source of heat you know what I a talking about. The chill is tough to shake. My colleagues are reassuring me that it has been getting noticeably warmer. Although Nairobi is chilly they say any trip to the Kenyan lowlands will immediately send the mercury back atop the thermometer achieving confirming my preconceived notion of this arid and toasty continent that I had anticipated.



We are in the metropolis of Nairobi located in the seemingly affluent and bustling neighborhood of Westlands. Walking is the preferred method of transportation. Walking along a mostly cratered dirt byway lined by greenery juxtaposed to worn and new concrete structures moated by tall fences crowned by a 'deterrent' These byways are occasionally edged by a pedestrian worn pathway. Sidewalks are limited, forcing pedestrians to share the streets with Guinness thick exhaust spewing weathered vehicles. There is a constant tension between motorists and bipeds but as a pedestrian you immediately get accustomed to yielding to these rumbling rust boxes. As the blackness of night falls, the roadways are eerily dark with only light from the occasional apartment window casting a dim glow. Shadows are all that can be distinguished when passing a fellow resident. The dark alley leads all the way from the rhythmically charged restaurant ridden district of Westlands to the security guard studded gate of my apartment complex.

My abode, a two bedroom apartment flat that is fairly spacious for one person. Resembling similar apartments I found accommodating in other warm weather climates, the floors are large off white marble tiles throughout, edged by slightly smaller darker hued tiles and quilted by the odd rug or two. It is a somewhat refreshing and sterile space punctuated by 70s motif furnishings and barely translucent but overly ornate curtains. The kitchen appliances are tiny yet efficient and practical. The kitchen serves as the gateway to an open air, yet caged back patio where the laundry station resides with clothes drying lines stitch above.

Sitting in a cab becomes a whole new experience....