Nairobi!

Last month I was in Nairobi, Kenya!

For ten days, for a work-related conference -- my first time on a work trip and my first trip to the Southern Hemisphere!

I've got a few photos to share, but apologise in advance for the terribly amateurish quality of photography engendered by the age and physical limitations of my camera (that is to say, it sucks, and more than once I was tempted to pitch it against the wall. However, I have just gotten my first ever smartphone! Photos around here will improve exponentially, I hope).


Kenya -- cradle of civilization...


Holy Family Minor Basilica:




A prayer in English and Kiswahili

Holy water from a spout

The local beer, brewed since 1922

Goat meat and ugali

Each night the hotel staff drew our curtains, turned down the blankets, arranged our slippers and bath towels, and left a delicious treat by the bed (a macaron, or a chocolate truffle, or strawberries dipped in chocolate...)

I found a Turkish restaurant -- Bobos Bistro -- that makes some awesome pide!

Waiting for a manicure-pedicure at the hotel spa, on our only early evening back from the office...

Oldest family-run restaurant in Nairobi, which is, oddly, Italian!


Another version of Tusker

Laki Laki -- which sounded like ayran (the Turkish drink that's a blend of natural yogurt, water, and salt), but which I was afraid to try for fear it would taste like the grocery store kefir I tried one time, which tasted like what I imagine an accidental swallow of Dead Sea water might taste like...

The Kenyatta International Convention Centre

Looking down from the fourteenth floor...

Downtown crossroads with City Hall (I think) and the bell tower of the Holy Family Minor Basilica in the background -- and a Turkish Airlines ad in the centre!

Old-time Coca-Cola paraphernalia... (photos of me courtesy of a colleague!)

This was on the flight out -- view of Geneva from above

The peak on the right hand side is the Matterhorn!

Ooh, Greek islands...

Corinth


The Sahara!







Still wondering what these circles are


We flew over Abu Simbel, Wadi Haifa... All these names I only know from, ahem, Agatha Christie novels...

Greenscapes reappeared on the edge of Sudan and Kenya


Touchdown!




Four views from the rooftop helipad and the fourteenth floor (guess which floor our office was on?) of the convention centre (my colleague's photos)

Dancers at the opening day ceremonies -- looking down from the fourteenth floor, as we were hard at work...

I got to visit the Sarova Stanley hotel for about five minutes -- the one Hemingway-related spot I was able to visit. Apparently the original acacia tree, on which everyone used to pin notes to each other back in the '20s and '30s, died a long time ago, and the current tree is the third one in the cafe. Nowadays they have a corkboard for messages...


Sarova in the 1910s





I liked this bench, which says "I refuse to just sit here / I will make a change",
and which has a job opportunity ad pasted on it...

What exciting places have you recently travelled to?

Comments

Hi Deniz - not back to Africa .. that's for sure. I hope you got a feel for the place ... it's where my aunt and uncle met and lived for many years ... Africa seems to be in our blood - well mine now and a cousin ...

I'm off to Oxford in a few weeks for a couple of nights with a South African friend ... I know your favourite Tolkien place ... not sure where we'll go - it's her trip.

So glad you had a happy time out there .. and hope it was worth it - that bench looks to be a great idea ... cheers Hilary
What an adventure! I think your photos turned out well. You will see a big increase in quality with a smart phone though.
Food looked delicious. Never tried goat meat but I'm willing.
Linda said…
Looks like a great time, Deniz! I have tried goat meat and I loved it. It was prepared for me by a friend from Dominica, and she made a goat meat stew with vegetables and rice. It was delicious! I think your photos turned out quite well, actually, and you have a lovely smile. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely tour! :)
Deniz Bevan said…
Thanks, Hilary, Alex, and Linda! The photos don't seem so bad when they're small like this, maybe...
Have fun in Oxford, Hilary! There are still many things I'd like to see there that I haven't yet -- apparently there's a labyrinth somewhere in the St Giles churchyard, for instance!

I wish I were eating that pide right now...
My work trips have never included a spa!! Your photos are brilliant - they give a wonderful overview.
Wow, I think you got some fantastic shots! Very cool about how the hotel treats its guests.

I haven't travelled outside of the US for several years now. This summer, I've been to Portland, Mount Hood, and Olympia in Oregon state. Now I'm in Seattle, Washington.
Suzanne Furness said…
What a fantastic place to visit, I enjoyed your photos. The hotel looked amazing!
Jemi Fraser said…
Wow, wow, WOW!!! What an incredible experience. The pics are great!
I'm feeling a touch of envy right now! :)
S.P. Bowers said…
I left 'touch of envy' way behind and am full on green with jealousy. I hope to travel to argentina in a year or so to visit parents, but for right now I'm here. And it's good. But I do sometimes long for travel.
Zan Marie said…
Wow! What wonderful photos--as always. What a great trip, Deniz.
Michael Di Gesu said…
Hi Deniz!

What a SENSATIONAL adventure! Your pics are fine... we got to see so much and I relived the trip through your eyes.

You must work for some AWESOME company that puts you up in such a swanky hotel. GOOD FOR YOU!
A few weeks ago I finished reading some essays by Zadie Smith, and in one she discussed a work-trip to Nairobi for an article she was researching. There is... an interesting dichotomy here. Though she also mentioned the Turks, Hemmingway's tree, and the hotel service...

I haven't traveled out of the US in too long. Having a kid and spending on school... Well, we're doing what we can to reduce that expenditure now. Hoping for an overseas trip in the near future.
Murees Dupè said…
From the photos, it looks like you had a good time. I enjoyed your photos. I didn't think they were bad at all. Thank you for your comment on my blog. I appreciate it:)
sage said…
Wow, I'm now hungry and thirsty--and envious as it's been a while since I've been at such an exotic spot. Great photos and you'll love taking photos with a smart phone--I often leave cameras at home and use my iPhone.
Oh my gosh, what an amazing experience. I've always wanted to go to Africa but never managed it. Perhaps one day...
Anonymous said…
What a wonderful trip! Loved all the photos. I thought they looked great. Thanks for sharing them. I've never been to Africa, though I'd like to go on a safari someday.
dolorah said…
What an opportunity. I have a traveling job and am currently making monthly trips through california, arizona, washington, oregon, idaho, nevada. I recently went to the Dinosaur Museum in Grand Junction and drove through the Colorado monument. I hope to see a lot more fascinating places over the next few years.

Awesome you got to go on such an exotic trip for work. Wish someone would turn down my bed and leave treats at night. They don't do that here in the States. Loved the bench too.
Hi Deniz - sadly I won't have time to look round St Giles Churchyard ... not obviously on show though - as it doesn't seem to get a mention. My time will be allocated to whatever Laurel wants to do ... of which most of it will be out of Oxford at Bletchley and the Turing 'museum' ...

Oxford and Africa - two wonderful places! Switzerland, Canada and Sussex aren't bad either ... Cheers Hilary
Deniz Bevan said…
Thanks so much, everyone, glad you enjoyed the photos!