December 7, 2012
October 2011.  Tsavo West, Kenya.

October 2011.  Tsavo West, Kenya.

October 8, 2012
October, 2011.  Tsavo Game Park, Kenya.

October, 2011.  Tsavo Game Park, Kenya.

June 25, 2012
Tsavo West, Kenya.  October 2011.

Tsavo West, Kenya.  October 2011.

June 22, 2012
Masai Village, near Mombasa, Kenya.  October 2011.

Masai Village, near Mombasa, Kenya.  October 2011.

June 17, 2012
Tsavo East, Kenya.  October 2011.  Elephants on parade.

Tsavo East, Kenya.  October 2011.  Elephants on parade.

January 15, 2012
Things I love about Kenya:

  • Pole Pole way of life.  Pronounced Poe-lay, this Swahili term means “slowly, gently” or “little by little, bit by bit”.  Living in Dallas I feel like I’m always rushing around from one thing to the next, impatient to get on with my busy life.  In Kenya, you will not get far in this manner - life slows down but still gets done.
  • Speaking of Swahili, I love the language.  It was easy to pick up on words here and there and has a natural flow to it that doesn’t sound harsh or abrasive as some languages can.
  • Coconuts!  You can buy them anywhere and everywhere off the streets.
  • Warm Milk - You will never be served cold milk with your coffee: cafe au lait with every breakfast I ate.
  • Game reserves - The preservation of wildlife and the unique experience of visiting their habitat is unforgettable.  I must get back to see the Maasai Mara….
  • Drinks:  Tusker - The beer of Kenya made from the Sausage Tree or Kigelia (yes, this tree really grows what appears to be sausages but is actually a fruit).  Stony - A hard core ginger ale.  Krest with Lemon - lemon flavored tonic water.
  • The ornately beaded ornamentation of the Maasai people.
  • Color: Red, blue, yellow, green, purple, orange, white, crisp, clean, warm and refreshing.
  • Swahili cuisine: a lot of spices, curry, coconut and game.  Not to mention the freshly caught fish from the Indian Ocean.
  • Ahhh… the ocean.  So bright, so blue… and everything that comes with it: beaches, cocktails, camels, catamarans…
  • Bougainvilleas: bushes upon bushes of every color possible in Tsavo.
  • Waking up to the Call to Prayer.
  • The exquisite balance of African, Arab and European architecture in Old Town.
  • The possibility of creatures coming into your room - it only adds to the adventure!  I had a baboon come and rifle through my backpack while brushing my teeth.  He got off with my beef jerky, sunglasses and bubble gum.  I later discovered I was also missing my travel neck pillow and am 98% certain the little thief got away with this as well.
  • Hakuna Matata - No worries.  Truly.

January 15, 2012
November 4th, 2011.  Old Town Mombasa, Kenya.  Apartment building.

November 4th, 2011.  Old Town Mombasa, Kenya.  Apartment building.

January 15, 2012
"I was pushed by myself because I have my own rule, and that is that every day I run faster, and try harder."

Wilson Kipketer (Kenyan Olympic Runner (800m), b. 1972)

(Source: thinkexist.com)

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Filed under: Run Do Act Kenya 
January 15, 2012
November 4th, 2011.  Old Town Mombasa, Kenya.  Dried leaves hanging delicately over an ornately carved door.  Does anyone know the significance of this?

November 4th, 2011.  Old Town Mombasa, Kenya.  Dried leaves hanging delicately over an ornately carved door.  Does anyone know the significance of this?

January 15, 2012

One of the first things that struck me about Kenya: COLOR!  It is bright.  It is vibrant.  And it gives respite from the evident poverty while reflecting a warmth in the people.

January 15, 2012

A small video I shot of crossing the street in Mombasa and hailing a matatu.  The matatus are the vans that you see everywhere - next to the tuk tuk, this is the main form of public transportation in Kenya.  It works mostly like a typical bus service or Super Shuttle would in the US: serving a particular area within the city and making several stops to the different drop-off points.  It’s hot, sticky and crowded but cheap!

January 15, 2012
November 4th, 2011.  Mombasa, Kenya.  Being Kenya’s second largest city and one that is accessible by water, the name Mombasa means Island of War as its history is rife with invasions and bloody battles.  It is hard to imagine the turmoil and cannons firing in light of this beautiful sunset over the waters of the Indian Ocean.

November 4th, 2011.  Mombasa, Kenya.  Being Kenya’s second largest city and one that is accessible by water, the name Mombasa means Island of War as its history is rife with invasions and bloody battles.  It is hard to imagine the turmoil and cannons firing in light of this beautiful sunset over the waters of the Indian Ocean.

January 15, 2012

In the 1960’s, Kenya found a new musical influence in rumba, sukuma & kwela.  The most popular?  The Equator Sound Band.  Have a listen… no doubt you will be nodding your head in time and maybe doing a little seat dance like I am.

January 14, 2012

November 4th, 2011.  Mombasa, Kenya.  Street food.

January 14, 2012
About Old Town Mombasa

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