First week in Kenya

Who knew that the Indian bureaucracy would be easier than the Kenyan?  I knew I was pushing my luck trying to bring 4 big bags and a cat to Kenya but the Indian side was surprisingly easy.  Had to get to the airport 5 hours early to put the cat in cargo and they surprisingly allowed my extra pounds but their credit card machine was broken so the hardest part was actually getting rupees to pay since I had gotten rid of all mine.  Got through Doha with no problem, got confirmation the cat was on board the second plane and got to Kenya (with the Kenyan Special Olympics Team).  Got my bags, got through customs and immigration, found the driver and went to pick up the cat.  That's when things got crazy.  A cargo agent approached us and the driver suggested we use him.  4 hours later, I had driven to three or four different areas of the airport about 25 times, gotten stamps, signatures and finally proof of life that the cat was ok.  I finally got to the apartment I'm staying at at about 7pm (flight landed at 12:30).

Since there are work permit issues here and you can't get your shipment of belongings until your permit clears I'm in a full serviced apartment until my stuff is here.  The apartment is quite nice, flat screen TV, coffee maker, oven, one bedroom (I asked for 3 but apparently there was a mix-up), wifi, a pool and a gym and a billiards room and a restaurant.  The strangest part is the in-room jacuzzi that replaces the shower which is very poorly placed and in order to adjust the hot and cold water you must walk through the sitting water (which is often very hot!).  

Tova and Scott (from Cali days) were coming through with his family for a safari vacation so I met up with them the first night.  The next few days were filled with meeting up with colleagues and Wangari.  One afternoon I went to the super market and realized a) I haven't been grocery shopping in a long time and b)I haven't been in a supermarket in a long time!  It took me 3 hours to buy some simple things (ketchup alone took me 15 minutes) and then had to come home and take a nap!

So far I'm reveling in the beer, beef, pork, coffee (ok, food in general), the music and kindness/friendliness of everyone.  The security is an issue but I've been okay walking to the market during the days and having a trusted taxi take me everywhere.  Just separate your money and don't carry a lot.  The funniest thing I've seen so far is the guys in the street selling bunnies, kittens and puppies.  And I thought they sold strange things on the streets in Delhi!