Travel and adventures
Adventures in Kenya Part 1
Challenging expectations and preconceptions
Talking with friends and family about my upcoming trip to Kenya, brings remarks such as “Uh, it’s going to be hot there”, even the stewardess on our Qatar flight asks excitedly, “Are you going to see the migrating wildebeest?”.
The image of a sunny and warm, if not hot, Africa with wildlife hiding around every corner, sends our minds into dreamy fantasies reminiscent of Karen Blixen’s book, Out of Africa. Having been to Tanzania on a similar trip, and believing I’m prepared for what might be in store, my imagination is coloured by the reality of previous experiences.
This trip is made possible because my husband, Jeff, has been invited to teach on a field course in Kenya arranged by the Tropical Biological Association (TBA). We’ll be spending a month in the Laikipia region and I feel lucky and excited at being able to take part in this adventure.
Our initial destination and rendezvous for the whole TBA group is Nairobi. It’s easy to imagine the romantic connotations of an African city with shantytowns and market stalls drooping with colourful goods. Narrow roads and alleyways, and street bars where, in the movies at least, you take shelter from criminals chasing you. The name Nairobi…
