Since I have been amused by some of the similarities and differences of living in Kenya versus the US I thought I would share them while I have the time and blog space. Before I monsoon down the differences on you let me first say that throughout my travels to random places generally people and things are the same. The people here are just as friendly and kind as the “Minnesota Nice” people I grew up with.
In the US we speak English and drive on the right side of the road. Given my love of talking to people I am happy to say that they speak English in Kenya as well as Swahili but they drive on the left side. I have to think a bit harder when crossing the road, especially since the driving rules are, shall we say, a bit lax. Now as most of you know my name is Sarah and that is my only first name. In talking to Jackie (who I am working with here) I found out that most people have two first names an Anglo one and their Kenyan name. Jackie’s Kenyan name is Nduta (pronounced like Dutta my Kellogg pal June’s last name), and she laughed when I called that her “real name.” She said she never thought of it that way since Jackie was also given to her when she was a baby. I thought she chose it like many of my Asian friends in the US.
Many of you have noticed that I now have internet since I have been as active as ever on my emails and was sure to update facebook and start this blog. Well I went to Safaricom and got a local Kenya phone for work and emergencies and a USB zip that gets me wireless internet. SCORE! It is a bit expensive to upload large files, so the pictures will be minimal although I will try to share at least one per blog. Let me just say that my Kenya Nokia phone for $30 US is newer and nicer than my 3 year old reliable friend many of you make fun of me for in the US. I found that to be hilarious, and I am sure my Kellogg roommate Kalpana will too.
Okay I now have a lizard running down my wall. That happened in Florida when we were kids but not so much in Minneapolis, Madison, LA or Chicago. Sticking with the animal theme I was amused when I headed to the beach to go for a run and saw a monkey run by as if it were a cat roaming the neighborhoods in the US. Nobody around seemed to be phased, so this is clearly standard procedure. While I was running on the beach I thought I saw a giant carved camel since I had seen other wooden crafts throughout the day. Oh no my friends that was a real camel sun bathing and there were two others strolling along as well. I have to tell you that I lived in Hermosa Beach for three years and can’t recall any animals at all and certainly no camels. I am also happy to report that I was not spat on by one.
If I needed to shop for a wide variety of products in the US it was usually at Target; (that’s right Kimberly I am a supporter) in Kenya they have a Nakumatt which I find surprisingly similar. I bought notebooks, utensils, and groceries and there were plenty of other shopping categories. I found Coke and Doritos on the shelves at Nakumatt but opted out. I did not opt out of a Nestle General Mills cereal (they are “cereal partners” here which allows me to support my friends marketing at both companies) called Honey Stars…looks like Honeycomb and I am looking forward to it. I pay for everything in Kenyan Schillings here, and I get 75 of them for every US dollar. I must say that the food pricing is pretty similar to the US. Things are not as cheap as I would have guessed so far. Oh and they don’t eat fries like many countries they eat chips and if you order the masala version you won’t be disappointed. They were coated with some tomato spicy sauce fried right onto them. Yum.
On the weather front it is winter here right now and they get crazy monsoon rains that come in really fast and don’t last more than 30 minutes to an hour; a stark contrast to the below zero blizzards in Chicago. I have found the temperature to be delightful and no ac is needed. On another note as I passed a building today there was tons of music coming from it, so much so that I asked a random Kenyan what the building was. I almost fell over when he told me it was a Baptist church. They were playing current US clubbing music...no joke. I can’t remember the song right now, but it was crazy loud and could have been coming from Pure in Vegas.
This got a bit long, but I wanted to paint a verbal picture for you. Until next time!
When I travel (oh wait, I don't travel, I just move somewhere)... I always notice the similarities and ignore the differences. I always appreciate it when you come and visit and point out the differences (no Katie, it is not normal to have cows in your front yard, take 'taxis' with strange men that make sure to have rope and shovels with them, or have children play with fireballs at recess). Can't wait to hear your adventures... and make sure to mark down all the species of monkeys you see.
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