Wings of a Plane: Kwaheri Kenya

On the way to Nairobi, I stopped at the equator. There are many curio shops there where you can buy all sorts of African souvenirs.

Buying things in a shop like this is an experience. You walk up and are immediately surrounded by ten shop owners trying to lure you into their shop. Rudy's friend has a shop there, so I started with hers. The shops are basically wooden stalls. As soon as you walk into a shop, the other shop owners quietly congregate outside the shop.

I walked into Carol's shop and started looking at things. I found a few things that I wanted. Then comes the interesting part: negotiation.

The shop owner writes down the price that he or she wants, and you have to negotiate to a fair price. I have found that as long as you give a price with a smile on your face, a shop owner doesn't get offended. I left Carol's shop with a few things, including a pair of beaded flip flops. These are now referred to as my equator shoes.

I went into a few other curio shops and got a few more things. And then James, my driver, and I were on our way.

I had to nip back to Nanyuki to get a bit of money and also to say goodbye to Sammy.

Just after leaving Nanyuki, I realized that I had still not had any mahindi choma. Nataka mahindi choma/ I want grilled corn. This sweet corn is slow roasted on the streets and normally readily available during the week. It was Saturday.

James and I were both on the constant lookout for mahindi choma for the 4 hours that it took to get from Nanyuki to Nairobi. Finally just as we entered Nairobi I spotted two men walking and eating some! I burst out saying "Mahindi choma!!!!"

I was satisfied with my 20 shilling purchase! Sooooo good.

Next came waiting at Nairobi airport where I met an Italian family. When I asked the boy what his favorite animal that he saw was, he responded "Bambi." His mother explained this was the impala. We both cracked up! Of all the animals that he had seen, he loved the impala.

The flight was fine, as was the transfer in Zurich. I was a bit overwhelmed at everything. It has been a bit of culture shock coming back.