Monday, 12th March 2007

Nairobi - Rest Day

Had a big western style breakfast this morning in town with Shawn, Gunther, George, Jan, and 2 of the new riders - Tiffany and (Sigfried?). After that, though, I was completely broke. Completely. I had exactly 20 shillings on me. So, I had to go off and find a bank.

That was a bit of an adventure, trying to move around Nairobi with no money. I talked with a parking attendant at the mall where we had eaten and asked where a Barclays bank was. He started showing me how to get a taxi. I said, "No, I'm walking. I have no money." He said, "Oh," and paused to think. "It is a bit far," he said. I said, "I have no choice." He said, "Hmm. Do you have 20 shillings?" I said, "Yes," so he very kindly and thoroughly, with detail, wrote down the directions on how to get to another mall, by matatu. When I arrived at the bank, finally, it was a "Prestige Members Only" branch, so they didn't want to help me. I had to put on my sweetest "please help me" face and explain that I had just spent my last 20 shillings and didn't even have enough money to go to another branch. In the end, the bank teller directed me to the bank manager, who talked with me in his office and ... I walked out with some money! Do you remember a few days ago when I wrote that one of the greatest feelings ever was to recover your strength after you have become completely, completely exhausted? Well, another great feeling is to have some money in your pocket after you have been completely, completely broke.

So, I spent the whole rest of the day in this great mall, which is where I am still sitting, even now, at 8:00 p.m.. Wow! This place is great! It has everything! It has bookshops and coffee shops and camera shops (yes, I bought a replacement camera!), and even a bike shop where I got some lube, and internet cafe. Everything! I could live here! Haha.

Update: I got back to our camp at about 9:30 p.m. and found Miles, Elaine, and Rachel, having a drink. I joined them. I don't know why, but I was in a very loving mood and was loving everybody. It kept cracking Rachel up. Apparently, they had had a very long and busy day. The staff really works hard.

And I leave you with a picture of Eva at the camp in Nairobi. My first picture on the new camera.