Monday, August 24, 2009

More time in Nairobi

On my 2009 African backpacking trip, I probably spent more time in Nairobi than any other cities. I had returned to Nairobi several times. On the second return, I felt I was really getting to know this city.
Java Coffee House is connected to a very nice and modern medical facility called Upperhill Medical Center and an upscale hospital called Nairobi Hospital.
A Kenyan man named Newton I met at Java Coffee House told me that very few Kenyans can afford the medical cares that these medical centers offer and that over 70% of Kenyans in Nairobi live below poverty. There is a biggest slum in Africa at Nairobi suburb - Kibera slum which I visited later. Newton was quite emotional when he talked about people's life in Nairobi.
All kinds of travelers stay at Youth Hostel in Nairobi. The typical types include: 1. volunteers for NGOs. They like to work at orphanages or schools; 2. tourists. They are here for Safari etc.; 3. curious youngsters who stay in Nairobi for some adventurous experience; 4. locals or Africans for new opportunities; 5 lost backpackers like me.
Two young girls shared a room with me. One is a football player from Nigeria, who is No.4 type and the other is a shy and pale Korean girl who is No. 3 type. The Korean girl told me that she is an exchanged student and thought it an exciting experience. But she already hated Nairobi.
I almost became local to Nairobi. I was frequent to the downtown and a computer center called " Lightwave Computer Internet Cafe" and a very good African restaurant " Highland". By now I have fallen in love with African food including Ugali and Matoki and Zukumu etc.

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