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Everybody now - "Nairobbery!"
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Despite its reputation (Nairobbery), Nairobi's downtown was pleasantly clean, had some great cafes and restaurants, and was relatively hassle free. I paid too much money for a hotel, but decided to treat myself after the previous few days. I basically ate, limped around, and nursed my aching knees and bruised spine for a couple of days.
After a couple of days I booked my bus, and was off to Moshi in Tanzania to see Michelle again, and settle into my "home" for the next month or so.
I noticed (and please pardon the generalizations, I can only comment on my own experiences I suppose) a few differences between Ethiopians and Kenyans in general. As a rule, Kenyans do not seem as friendly or as curious as Ethiopian people did. I suppose part of this could be attributed to the lack of a colonial history on Ethiopia's part (the only African country, save Liberia, to never be colonized), added to Kenya's large role in tourism among white Europeans and North Americans. While coming off a bit more aloof, one thing I have noticed is a lack of begging in Kenya. Begging was very common, with beggars getting on buses at stops to go down the isle asking for alms. Children would run up to you asking for money or a pen. Certainly poverty seemed more endemic in Ethiopia, but I've certainly seen signs of it in Kenya as well. I wonder if being the recipient of so much international relief aid (not necessarily development aid - something quite different) has lent itself to a begging culture in Ethiopia? Overall, I enjoyed the warmth and mannerisms of Ethiopians more, but I certainly haven't spent a lot of time in Kenya either.
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| 31. | Everybody now - "Nairobbery!" - Nairobi, Kenya Oct 26, 2006 (  1 ) |
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