Hump Day (but posted from the apartment!)

It’s been a very busy week in Nairobi as we’re pushing towards a deadline. The work itself is pretty interesting – pulling together everything needed for a grant proposal, but it’s a relatively high stress level for an NGO. Someone made an offhand comment about the NGO trying to be the “Africa light” version of a major consulting firm, and I kinda believe it.

I actually saw the rest of the city (besides our suburbs of Westlands and Parklands and the drive to the airport) on Monday. We had a meeting in the corporate wonderland of Upper Hill, home of glass and metal high commissions, banks, and MNC headquarters. As part of the taxi ride there, we got to experience the joy of Nairobi traffic, which is some of the worst I’ve ever seen. Total stand still at every corner, and horrible pollution as well. Wish I had a swine flu mask. We drove through the city center on the way back – a totally unremarkable collection of office buildings, shops and fast food restaurants. I’m not planning on going back there any time soon.

I had the chance to try a few new lunch spots by the office, all with their own
quirks and characteristics. They included an American Indian themed burger joint (the placemats had a folk legend about strong braves), a traditional Kenyan food court serving rice, vegetables and meat from buffet trays (filling, good and cheap), and an overpriced poolside lunch at the surprisingly nice Nairobi Holiday Inn. The owners also declared us regulars at our favorite café/curry house over a few Tuskers Tuesday night. We were the only customers both times I've eaten there.

It is also worth noting that our other roommate, Mr. T. Wit, has made himself known. “The Wit” is the smartest mouse we have ever seen. Last night he jumped the sides of the trash can into the compost-filled bag. This evening, I came home to the scene of a crime. Wit had managed to knock a candy bar off my little table (at least a foot above the ground) and had eaten it for dinner. As I walked in the door, he came running out of my room (across L.’s feet), leaving a half-nibbled candy bar and little flicks of foil all over the rug. Bad Wit!