Nairobi, Kenya

 Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, the largest city in the country, and has a reputation for thievery, snatch and grab, and con artists. I researched and stayed in a safe zone (west of Moi Ave, north of the train station, and east of Kenyatta Ave in the Central Business District), to minimize my exposure. Nevertheless, I was stressed out during the 1st half hour (by the difficulty of crossing bust traffic while no traffic lights) and  the last half hour (by the crowds near the bus station, most risky area). This bought back the bad memory of New Delhi, India. Fortunately, the air quality is worst than Cyprus yet better than India.

I started with the National Museum and the snake park, then I strolled in the John Michuki Memorial Park and chatted with local gardeners. Right outside of the main gate of the park the gate was a Maasai market (rotating to near the Norfolk Hotel on Tuesdays) that sold woven baskets to wood-carved giraffes to elaborate textiles to traditional drums and much, much more. 

Then I took a lunch break to enjoy the Kenyan food Ugali (Cornmeal Staple) with spanich beef stew that I found in Carrefour, to pair with yogurt and banana (to stay away from street food). I then visited Jamia Mosque, Holy Family Cathedral Hall, and the Kenya National Archives. I managed to use only my credit card for the whole day without changing any local currency. I skipped the Elephant Orphanage and Nairobi Giraffe Center, as I will see many elephants and giraffes during my 3-day Maasai Mara tour and 40-day east/South Africa tours. BTW, the free walking tour guide changed tour time twice yet finally cancelled the walk for today. 

I took a nap then it turned dark and became too dangerous to walk outside. So I asked some hot water to eat my leftover instant noodles and oatmeal for dinner.