Carnivore

10:15 Nairobi Sunday Night

This day was both very long and extremely enjoyable. We walked from our hostel to the bus stop guided by Martin who gave us a long lesson on the education system in Kenya. Interestingly enough it seems quite similar to some of our problems and issues in the US. The lack of public funds hinders the good level of teaching that could be given to the children who can't afford private schools. In addition, the issues stemming from focusing on test taking rather than rentention of information seems to cross over our cultural barriers. The major distinction obviously between the US and Kenya, besides the immense difference in public funds, is that the parents in the outskirts/interior of the country still don't view education as important as caring for the farm/animals.

The bus dropped us off downtown Nairobi and we walked up to the city market and got our first, and quite intensive, taste of bargaining for merchandise. The men standing around the entrance try and herd you into a tight corner of the market, surround you by middlemen, and then guilt you into buying everything they are selling, by telling us that yesterday was a very bad business day for them. If you slow down for a second you're screwed.

I walk away from the market fairly unscathed, having broken down and purchased a necklace, Masaai sandals and a traditional cloth. We were unexpectadly aided by a wonderful Kenyan woman named Charity who took us around and told us what everything was really worth, so we didn't spend too much. Charity's sister Faith turned out to be a Godsend as well. We all got split up without having JR's phone number and we ran into her out of nowhere in the middle of hundreds of people in downtown Nairobi later that day... as we're telling her that we can't find two of our people she reminds us she has JR's number in her phone!

We tried to go to the National park but $50 on a crowded bus was not appealing so we sat and had samosas and decided to walk down the street to the Bomas of Kenya. It turned out to be a farther walk than we expected in the sweltering heat, and Marie was limping due to her bruised foot so when we relaized it would still be a considerable distance we hopped/smashed/squished into what I like to refer to as a "Disco Van" - bumping down the stree with load music blaring through its open windows. A great adventure and another chance to hone my bargaining skilss, and the power of saying no. We got a small taxi to take us the rest of the way and found ourselves in an ampitheater filled with locals and tourists watching traditional tribal dances, along with some amazing displays of acrobatics. Rachel and I jumped up and included ourselves in the final dance then caught up with the rest of the group to explore traditional bush homes - which included various arrays of adobe style huts. Obama's tribe, the Luao, were represented here. We finished our day by meeting up with our other two friends at Carnivore, a BBQ restaurant, a highly toursty environment but so worth the experience. Fresh carved exotic meats and Kenyan tea with great dessert - all you can eat!! As dinner died down we had a group discussion of fears, hopes and wishes for the coming week. With the larger financial obligations organized back at the hostel I'm now ready for bed and the start of a very early morning - and what looks like to be a very long day. But we'll finally be in Lodwar so I'm grateful:)