Sunday 6 March 2011

Another day, another country.....

We have now been in Nairobi, Kenya for the last 6 days. We are staying with the Salesians in their place in Karen, a very affluent suburb of Nairobi. I hesitate to say too much about Nairobi because I know that a number of my (possible) readers are well acquainted with the city and in fact with the country of Kenya. Therefore my disclaimer is that anything I commit to paper here is based on my very very short experience of this place!!
Zelma used to live here so we spent a day just driving around to all her old haunts, thus going to places other tourists would not normally reach! As a city it’s quite industrial and has a growing financial sector. There is a lot of growth with many new buildings and a lot of new roads being constructed (all done by the Chinese). The traffic is terrible and we have been stuck numerous times in jams. Crime is very bad here with muggings and robberies every day occurrences. So much so, that we were strongly advised not to walk around anywhere with bags but to leave them in the car. A few years ago one of the community here, was driving back in the early hours of Christmas morning after saying midnight Mass when his way was blocked by a huge telegraph pole just outside the house. As he stopped a few men came out of a bush and shot him dead. The telegraph pole has now been made into a memorial cross to him. They have also been robbed here in the house. Security now is fierce and we are securely locked in most of the time. On our drive around the city the security gates, high fences and walls – some with shards of glass on top –and guards were evident almost everywhere. Even the entry to some roads are gated and guarded.
I was talking to a teacher the other day who lives in the largest slum, Kibera. She says there are some expensive parts of the slum (one of which she lives in) and some less expensive, more run down areas. It seems that the slum is not only for the poorest people but also because Nairobi has a real housing shortage. We are hoping, on our return from Northern Kenya, to visit Kibera.
Yesterday we went to a wedding about 100kms out of Nairobi in a place called Makuyi. The wedding was between a Tanzanian and his Kenyan fiancĂ©e. The marriage service itself was very western but with some lovely little touches. Noticeably after they were married throughout the service and the reception, the groom carried his wife’s train from her dress over his shoulders the whole time. Quite symbolic. She had a total of about 15 bridesmaids and then two groups of little children who danced their way down the aisle on her entry and also on the couple’s exit. Both parents walked the bride down the aisle as well (like a jewish wedding!!) Everyone was invited afterwards for something to eat during which, there were numerous short speeches and people presented the couple with their presents. Interestingly both parents took a very back seat; the high table was only for bride and groom and their chief bridesmaid and best man.

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