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8/3/03: “Walking alone in downtown Nairobi is definitely harrowing when you stand out from a mile away. I was immediately pegged as a tourist and for most of the time had people coming up to me with stories or brochures and warning me to look out for unsafe con artists and the reasons why I could trust them instead. It was rather exhausting feeling like I had to constantly be on my guard.  I was just more leery because of the unfamiliar environment and knowing I couldn’t blend in.   (And there was the one guy who when he realized he wasn’t getting any money from me proceeded to call me a few choice names, told me to go to hell, and said I’d be better off dead. ) But I’m glad I spent time in the city so I could feel like I’ve actually seen Nairobi.”

“Another part of walking around town was going to Uhuru Park which is apparently totally unsafe at night  but presumably okay at day.  I actually was just able to walk along the paths with all the other people and just get mildly curious tares.  Part of it may have had to do with the number of regular citizens milling about who were going to a big ‘church’ presentation on the hillside by the park.”

“I went in the morning to the National Museum which had several interesting bits—the best were Joy Adamson’s (as in Born Free) water colors of a number of individuals from ethnic groups in Kenya in traditional  dress with explanations as well.   There were also in the same display original cultural pieces (clothing, tools, jewelry, etc.) from a wide variety of areas.”