It started in chaos....
Prepare, prepare, prepare! If I am not mistaken this is something we preach at RTS and CRAFrica, so how is it that our preparations simply fell to pieces? A wise man once said to us 'you have to be mad to live in Kenya', we laughed, and promptly forgot it. It's time to acknowledge the depth of that statement "you have to be mad to consider living in Kenya, certifiably insane to actually do it!"
For those of you who don't know already, our dream of living in Naivasha turned into something of a nightmare and we about to move to Nairobi....if you are one who have heard us swearing that never, in a million years would we live in Karen....well, the drinks are on us.
Check out the medical services!
Jon has identified a novel method for stopping the overhead circulating fan, let's be honest, walking around the room to the on/off switch is not always convenient! We won't be putting any money on the method catching on and it is a serious health risk but hey, it works. Simply use your thumb as a brake for one of the blades (note to short people - standing on the bed or other piece of accessible furniture may be required). Results are messy and will require the services of the local hospital or a good seamstress. J carries a scar for life reminding him of Day One as a Kenyan resident!
Driving In Kenya - should be easy, they drive on the Left!
Driving in Nairobi and beyond requires a set of skills no European driving school offers. Armed with a full driving licence getting on to the road in a vehicle is not a problem, staying alive on the road is another issue entirely. The rule of thumb is to avoid hitting anything that is in front of you and don't worry about what is going on behind, to the side, above or below you.
What you must know....
Matatus (shared taxis) rule the road.
Habitat - anywhere a fare-paying passengers can be found, that covers probably every road in the country Appearance - of mini-bus origin, decorated in a wide variety of colours often supported by an onboard light and sound show
Road-worthiness - miraculously they get from A - B on a fairly consistent basis
Unique characteristics - appear from nowhere requiring evasive action from all other drivers, carry sophisticated equipment allowing their drivers to see around corners, over hills and through solid rock, most impressive of all is their magical ability to absorb passengers...they is always place for one more!
Mobile Hazards are vast and in our experience (so far) include, wandering people, bicycles carrying anything from people to sofas, motorcycles with up to four passengers + driver, inter-city buses, goat, sheep, cattle, donkeys, zebras. giraffe, monkeys, baboons, impala, warthogs, jackals, dik-dik (you get the idea), men with carts, donkeys pulling carts, abandoned carts...
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| A detailed survey leads us to believe that pineapple is the No.1 choice of vervets in Naivasha |
Trying to Work
1. We still don't have our container
2. The suns shines every day
3. Power outtages encourage outdoor living
4. The staff are working in the house
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| Boshi amidst the thorns of an acacia tree |
The reasons above are some of our excuses for spending 99% of daylight hours (06.00-18.00) outdoors. Imagine the set up....numerous trailing extension leads hook up the electronic equipment we managed to bring with us, sitting on safari camp chairs overlooking the garden shaded by giant acacias. Having fed the birds with left over fruit from breakfast we can guarantee that the vervet monkeys will pay us a visit at some point. The boys (cats) seem to have settled down to a truce with the monkeys although every now and again they do race up the trees in an attempt to catch one of them. The monkeys have long since realised that the boys are no threat, sleeping being their primary daytime activity. All of this leads to the challenge of staying focused at work.....
The Surprises
Raspberries being freely available
Choosing to live in Karen
The cats' capacity for sleep
The number of vehicles travelling between Nairobi and Naivasha at all hours of the day and night
Leaning to ornithology as a form of entertainment
Moving to the "hard" level of Guitar Hero
Some Ups..... and Downs
Sunshine - every day! Our boys (and girls) seem a long way away
The wildlife, birdlife and the people Dust, its impossible to stay clean
Anything is possible....it may take a while Internet speeds averaging 20kbps
House staff Customs delays, we want our container (PLEASE)
Having family and friends visit Biting insects
Good friends who consistently help us out of The lack of maps we can follow
our current jam Having to move to the city
Its easy to communicate in English Power failures that can last for hours
Driving to Naivasha is a mini safari Driving to Nairobi is at best terrifying
Charcoal braais (with wors)
The ability to buy just about anything at
the side of the road
the side of the road
Frangipanis in the garden
Kwaherini!
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