Well, we're set to head out to the field again. It's been a nice break here in Nairobi, both because of the wonderful accommodations and amenities at the Fairview and because I'm fortunate to have a few friends from CDC who happen to be living and working here. They've enabled me to see more of Nairobi and the surrounding areas than I otherwise might have had I been on my own.
Yesterday, Diane and I got to join my friend Pauli, who is working here for the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (very cool work), on her "errands" in Karen, a suburb of Nairobi where many of the white Kenyans live and also where there are many craft shops that sell real quality artwork made by Kenyans. It's also the suburb where Karen Blixen (remember "Out of Africa" lived, although it's named after her cousin not her). You would never know these craft shops are there unless you knew where to look. It's not like they're in one area and have obvious store fronts. Instead, each one is located on an estate in the area, and unless you knew where they were, you might have trouble finding them. The restaurants in the area are the same way.
One of the places we visited was a bronzeworks shop called Matbronze, where we could watch Kenyans preparing the wax molds. They turn out some really beautiful pieces, some of which are on display along the walkway up to the shop. 
Pauli also took us to the Sheldrick baby elephant orphanage, where baby elephants who have been orphaned by poachers in Kenya and surrounding countries are taken in and cared for until they are about 2-3 years old and able to fend for themselves. Then they are released back into the wild. Elephants really are amazing in how “human-like” they are. The mothers are very nurturing and devoted, so when the babies are orphaned, the experience can be very traumatic. At the orphanage, each elephant has 2 devoted attendants who take turns sleeping with and caring for each elephant.
It’s obvious how attached these elephants become to their attendants as they follow them around and even run after them if they see them walking away.
So now, after enjoying our time here and making our first reports, we head out again. This time, I'll be heading to Garissa and Wajir in the Northeastern Province, where it's supposed to be pretty hot, dry, and dusty, and there will be more than enough bad roads - another adventure. I'll be traveling in a huge Landrover with no air-conditioning - that could get interesting - and as the area is considered phase 3 (given the proximity to the border and influx of refugees), we'll have a security escort. Diane is heading to the Western Province initially, and then will head again up north in the Rift Valley, familiar territory now for her. Not sure whether I’ll have internet access; and who knows what cell coverage will be like, but we’ll all try to stay in touch with each other at least. It’s good to hear a familiar voice from time to time in the field. We’re all scheduled to return again around the 25th, so till then…
Yesterday, Diane and I got to join my friend Pauli, who is working here for the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (very cool work), on her "errands" in Karen, a suburb of Nairobi where many of the white Kenyans live and also where there are many craft shops that sell real quality artwork made by Kenyans. It's also the suburb where Karen Blixen (remember "Out of Africa" lived, although it's named after her cousin not her). You would never know these craft shops are there unless you knew where to look. It's not like they're in one area and have obvious store fronts. Instead, each one is located on an estate in the area, and unless you knew where they were, you might have trouble finding them. The restaurants in the area are the same way.
One of the places we visited was a bronzeworks shop called Matbronze, where we could watch Kenyans preparing the wax molds. They turn out some really beautiful pieces, some of which are on display along the walkway up to the shop. 
Pauli also took us to the Sheldrick baby elephant orphanage, where baby elephants who have been orphaned by poachers in Kenya and surrounding countries are taken in and cared for until they are about 2-3 years old and able to fend for themselves. Then they are released back into the wild. Elephants really are amazing in how “human-like” they are. The mothers are very nurturing and devoted, so when the babies are orphaned, the experience can be very traumatic. At the orphanage, each elephant has 2 devoted attendants who take turns sleeping with and caring for each elephant.
It’s obvious how attached these elephants become to their attendants as they follow them around and even run after them if they see them walking away.So now, after enjoying our time here and making our first reports, we head out again. This time, I'll be heading to Garissa and Wajir in the Northeastern Province, where it's supposed to be pretty hot, dry, and dusty, and there will be more than enough bad roads - another adventure. I'll be traveling in a huge Landrover with no air-conditioning - that could get interesting - and as the area is considered phase 3 (given the proximity to the border and influx of refugees), we'll have a security escort. Diane is heading to the Western Province initially, and then will head again up north in the Rift Valley, familiar territory now for her. Not sure whether I’ll have internet access; and who knows what cell coverage will be like, but we’ll all try to stay in touch with each other at least. It’s good to hear a familiar voice from time to time in the field. We’re all scheduled to return again around the 25th, so till then…
1 comment:
Glad you're feeling better! The updates are great. Keep 'em comin'. Good luck with your next trip. Hawaii misses you. K
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