Who would have thought casinos were downtown, and rotarys with wild little cars! Not me. I am at the Southern Mayfair, one of the two oldest hotels in Nairbi and it is very very civilized. I am sure, later this morning, after my omlete, poolside, I will see a different Kenya.
I can already tell communicating will be a challenge here, as I never attempt leaving english. Anyone who really knows me, knows phonics has always escaped me.
Short on cash, I asked the driver at the airport where there was a "change/bank" so I could convert dollars to euros...oops, no euros in Kenya shillings. Hmmmm, interesting, I should have done more "homework". Wondering how far my $110. US dollars would go, I asked "how much for the drive to the hotel?", he didn't speak any english but got the idea and said $1500. Oh, that is pricy I said, do you have a calculator, something is terribly wrong with your math. A blank look. Finally, I find a teller and the conversion is 78 shillings to one dollar. I convered and feel really rich with thousands of shillings, was going to tip the porter with one shilling and though, god no, that is less than a dollar. Good thing I am not here to shop this shilling thing is making me nervous, handing out $500 bills like it is 6.00.
I will post a blog on my safari when I settle in the country this week. Getting up at 5 am made for a long long day. Limited internet at one location. Was it fabulous, absolutely. Did I learn alot about photography, with out a doubt. I am using all kinds of dials and settings now instead of the "A" for automatic. It was an experience that brought all kinds of new knowledge and now new interest in Africa, wildlife and mankind. When the tiny prop plane took off from the Serengeti airstrip/ field, silent tears ran down my face, the experience was just unlike anything I expected, not in a good way but a spiritual inspirational fabulous way, just life changing. I am feeling very lucky and fortunate and happier than I have been in a very very long time.
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