Ten Things to Like about Kenya
March 16th 2010 11:26
1. There is barely any smoking. A law was passed banning smoking in public and although it is not enforced outside Nairobi, you almost never see it. This means the old out of sight, out of mind technique works remarkably well for ex- and wanting-to-quit nicotine addicts. Also, the smoking hater can safely avoid the evil cancer stick and arrive home stench fee, even after a few drinks in most pubs.
2. Intelligence is respected and education is sought after. Compared to for instance, Australia, where boganism reigns and an unskilled labourer's earnings can exceed a university graduate's, it is fascinating to see a poor child delight over a HB pencil; or flick through the two leading newspapers with only a small amount of tabloid content, largely limited to weekends and supplement sections. People think quite deeply and they respect those who are learned, perhaps both due to the strong Christian influence and the fact that education does not come free. Even an Arts degree has value in Kenya.
3. The transport network is comprehensive, anything but boring and allows plenty of contact with the great outdoors. As the majority of people can't afford a car, mutatus (minivan buses) cheaply transport people amongst towns throughout the day at a very affordable cost. There are buses too of course, or for shorter distances, one can get a boda boda (bicycle taxi) or piki piki (motorbike taxi). A recent Asian import, the tuk tuk, is a cheaper and more enjoyable option than car taxi when travelling in a group.
4. Hot chips are made with fresh potatoes instead of processed ones so they taste so much better.
5. There is an exciting atmosphere around towns due to the rapid rate of growth and development. There are opportunities everywhere and new frontiers to break. Innovation and new enterprise is encouraged instead of hampered by wet blankets.
6. The handshake greetings, even when meeting children, is a very nice touch. What better to say Hello, Jambo, than with a quick joining of hands?
7. Tusker Lager. Every country needs at least one good beer and there are a few options in Kenya. Tusker Lager is a very drinkable brew that doesn't sit too heavily in the stomach. And great for bonding with locals (the ones who aren't tee totalling Christians, that is).
8. Kenyans are smart as in well groomed & schmick. Not all of them, but most. The men are a handsome bunch with toned bodies and defined cheekbones and the ladies often dress with eye catching formality. Even a poor lady usually has a clean and lovely dress or tailored traditional skirt suit and the children wear party clothes in the mud.
9. Anything is fixable in Kenya. There are shoe fixers and tailors on the street and most locals can loosen a stuck zip. If your mobile phone battery is dead and you don't have the power cable with you, a waiter at a local cafe can take it away and "jump start" it enough to send a text or two. Everything is repaired, over and over again until it is finally so useless it is thrown away.
10. People stop and say hello and catch up when they run into each other on the street. They call and text when they said they would. Kenyans like meeting people from abroad and are often a little insecure about their countries poverty, which is why they put foreigners from developed countries on such a pedestal. The boy who develops your photos will ask you to come out back and chat, showing you the process. The nurse at the hospital will arrange for the children you are minding to be given a tour. A teacher at the orphan school will invite you to her village home so you can meet her grandmother and see her pigs. Although it is prudent to use common sense when accepting such invitations, it is lovely none the less.
2. Intelligence is respected and education is sought after. Compared to for instance, Australia, where boganism reigns and an unskilled labourer's earnings can exceed a university graduate's, it is fascinating to see a poor child delight over a HB pencil; or flick through the two leading newspapers with only a small amount of tabloid content, largely limited to weekends and supplement sections. People think quite deeply and they respect those who are learned, perhaps both due to the strong Christian influence and the fact that education does not come free. Even an Arts degree has value in Kenya.
3. The transport network is comprehensive, anything but boring and allows plenty of contact with the great outdoors. As the majority of people can't afford a car, mutatus (minivan buses) cheaply transport people amongst towns throughout the day at a very affordable cost. There are buses too of course, or for shorter distances, one can get a boda boda (bicycle taxi) or piki piki (motorbike taxi). A recent Asian import, the tuk tuk, is a cheaper and more enjoyable option than car taxi when travelling in a group.
4. Hot chips are made with fresh potatoes instead of processed ones so they taste so much better.
5. There is an exciting atmosphere around towns due to the rapid rate of growth and development. There are opportunities everywhere and new frontiers to break. Innovation and new enterprise is encouraged instead of hampered by wet blankets.
6. The handshake greetings, even when meeting children, is a very nice touch. What better to say Hello, Jambo, than with a quick joining of hands?
7. Tusker Lager. Every country needs at least one good beer and there are a few options in Kenya. Tusker Lager is a very drinkable brew that doesn't sit too heavily in the stomach. And great for bonding with locals (the ones who aren't tee totalling Christians, that is).
8. Kenyans are smart as in well groomed & schmick. Not all of them, but most. The men are a handsome bunch with toned bodies and defined cheekbones and the ladies often dress with eye catching formality. Even a poor lady usually has a clean and lovely dress or tailored traditional skirt suit and the children wear party clothes in the mud.
9. Anything is fixable in Kenya. There are shoe fixers and tailors on the street and most locals can loosen a stuck zip. If your mobile phone battery is dead and you don't have the power cable with you, a waiter at a local cafe can take it away and "jump start" it enough to send a text or two. Everything is repaired, over and over again until it is finally so useless it is thrown away.
10. People stop and say hello and catch up when they run into each other on the street. They call and text when they said they would. Kenyans like meeting people from abroad and are often a little insecure about their countries poverty, which is why they put foreigners from developed countries on such a pedestal. The boy who develops your photos will ask you to come out back and chat, showing you the process. The nurse at the hospital will arrange for the children you are minding to be given a tour. A teacher at the orphan school will invite you to her village home so you can meet her grandmother and see her pigs. Although it is prudent to use common sense when accepting such invitations, it is lovely none the less.
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