7/1
Nairobi is a little scary. In order to exchange money I had to become Jason Bourne. First I had to arrange with a third-party for the money lender to come to our hotel. Then I had to confirm who he was with a phone call to the first person. Then once the money exchange details were arranged he would pull up his pant leg to break out the Kenyan Shillings.
That first night our hotel told us it is not safe to go out for dinner and not safe to walk to the park. Our hotel, which happens to be right in the heart of the central business district, is in the heart of crime and poverty as well.
The next day we started out our Kenya experience with a bang. We traveled to a baby orphan elephant rescue. They had two groups of baby elephants come into the pen. First the babies would drink an amazing amount of formula, one jug after another. Then it was playtime. They ate leaves, drank muddy water, then wrestled and pushed each other. When they came near the edge of the cordoned off area, we were able to touch and pet the baby elephants. At the end of the session, I was even able to touch one baby elephants trunk – it felt like a big tongue. What a great experience for everyone. We left with huge smiles on our faces.
Afterword we negotiated a ride to the giraffe center, but opted to not pay the hefty admission price. Instead we took a bunch of pictures from from the entrance.
Back in the central business district, we ate an amazing Tilapia feast, two huge fish, one in coconut sauce, rice, fruit, veggies and corn bread. It added up to be a little pricey but was our first delicious African food.
We came home, changed rooms because of the clanging security door and the non-flushing toilet, exchanged money again, and then went to our sister hotel for a refreshing swim in their pool. Dinner was not so good but we are all very excited about our Safari tomorrow!
Nairobi is a little scary. In order to exchange money I had to become Jason Bourne. First I had to arrange with a third-party for the money lender to come to our hotel. Then I had to confirm who he was with a phone call to the first person. Then once the money exchange details were arranged he would pull up his pant leg to break out the Kenyan Shillings.
That first night our hotel told us it is not safe to go out for dinner and not safe to walk to the park. Our hotel, which happens to be right in the heart of the central business district, is in the heart of crime and poverty as well.
The next day we started out our Kenya experience with a bang. We traveled to a baby orphan elephant rescue. They had two groups of baby elephants come into the pen. First the babies would drink an amazing amount of formula, one jug after another. Then it was playtime. They ate leaves, drank muddy water, then wrestled and pushed each other. When they came near the edge of the cordoned off area, we were able to touch and pet the baby elephants. At the end of the session, I was even able to touch one baby elephants trunk – it felt like a big tongue. What a great experience for everyone. We left with huge smiles on our faces.Afterword we negotiated a ride to the giraffe center, but opted to not pay the hefty admission price. Instead we took a bunch of pictures from from the entrance.
Back in the central business district, we ate an amazing Tilapia feast, two huge fish, one in coconut sauce, rice, fruit, veggies and corn bread. It added up to be a little pricey but was our first delicious African food.
We came home, changed rooms because of the clanging security door and the non-flushing toilet, exchanged money again, and then went to our sister hotel for a refreshing swim in their pool. Dinner was not so good but we are all very excited about our Safari tomorrow!
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