First impressions

This is about first impressions so lots of generalisations. I apologise in advance if this isn't the Kenya / Nairobi you know, but this is my blog, so I can say what I like - within reason.

Arrived Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport just after 9 pm on Saturday. Breezed through immigration and customs. (I gather that had I been travelling on a Nigerian passport, the experience might have been very different.). 

First impression of Kenyans: Kenyans are very friendly to visitors - everyone responds to a smile, says hello and welcome, and offers assistance. The staff at the luggage belt kept offering to help me with my bags, expressing concern that I was too small to manage my 4 large suitcases (I packed the kitchen sink, remember?). The customs lady decided not to open my bags so as not to delay me as 'it is getting late'. I was out of the airport in no time and immediately found a smiling gentleman called Josephat holding a sign with 'Dr Ebere IRC' on it. I must say that I was thrilled to bits! I have always wanted to be one of those people met at the airport by official-looking people holding signs! I can now tick this one off my bucket list - simple pleasures. 

Observation: despite my insistence, everyone I've been introduced to insist on calling me 'Dr Ebere' rather than just Ebere. I wonder why ...

I was whisked away in a Princess Taxi towards my accommodation. I say whisked away, more like crawling out - traffic at JKIA is pretty similar to that at any other major airport - gridlocked most of the time. My driver, called Bernard, was ever so nice and offered advice on dos and don't, brought me up to speed on the political situation and terrorist threats, and we learned that we had a UK university in common - his dad and I both studied for Masters degrees at Newcastle University (not at the same time I might add!)

Staff at the serviced apartment that is to be my home for the next few months were roused from their beds and without complaint, between them and Bernard, my suitcases were carried up 4 flights of stairs to what I have decided to call 'the penthouse suite'. Too dark and late to get any further feel for the place but reinforced my opinion that Kenyans are nice people. 

One final bedtime impression - this is coldest place in Africa that I've visited so far!

Went for a stroll the next morning and was again met by friendly faces. Discovered the apartment complex has a swimming pool, but decided it's too cold to take a dip.

The coffee shops and restaurants (there are a lot of Chinese restaurants about this area) were teaming with Kenyans out for Sunday brunch. I am told that this is the norm.

Monday morning - driver arrives a little late to pick me up and I discover that IRC had moved offices over the weekend. I arrived at the swanky new building amid chaos of hanging wires, unpacked crates and on and off intranet service. They must have been really pissed off to have to babysit a newcomer as well, but they didn't show it, everyone was nice and friendly. 

Sat in on an SMT meeting and learned some fascinating facts about Kenyan government gender equity initiatives; do you know that there is a '2/3 rule' in Kenya which requires that no senior management / leadership positions should be more than 2/3 one gender? Isn't that amazing? And I gather the county governments are actually making progress on this agenda. As an unapologetic feminist, I think this is wonderful and I love Kenya for doing this!

Downside - Nairobi is colder than I anticipated and essentials are rather expensive! 

Oh, I went to the bank at lunchtime to open an account and I think the young clerk fancies me - LOL! When you're approaching 50 and have been married for over 2 decades this is quite flattering. I didn't have the right documents, so I have to go back tomorrow and the young fellow gave me his personal mobile no ...

I think I'm going to like this place. Now if only I could find a place to buy a decent bottle of Merlot ...