January 18 | Kenya, Africa: Nairobi
There was much to see and do in Nairobi today. Nairobi, which began as a camp for railway construction workers for the Mombasa-to-Uganda Railroad in 1899, was called “Mile 32” by the workers, but the local tribe referred to it as Naiberi, meaning the place of cold water. It received the name Naiberi because where the modern city stands today was originally nothing more than a highland swamp. Because Nairobi stands at 1661 meters above sea level, it has a fairly moderate climate, even though it is located near the equator. Its seasons are simply referred to as the wet season and the dry season.

I toured the city on one the privately owned minibuses called a matatu. Wow, what an experience! These buses hold about 14 passengers and can be a bit risky because the drivers are known for crazy driving habits—swerving in and out of traffic and stopping suddenly in traffic to pick up passengers. This was one time I didn’t have to be reminded to wear my seat belt! Nairobi is a vibrant city where 3 to 4 million people from many different races, tribes, and origins create an interesting mix of culture within the city. Today, I visited several of Nairobi’s parks, including Uhuru (Freedom) Park, famous for its outdoor speeches and rallies. I also visited the National Museum of Kenya, which contains a large collection of artifacts. Finally, I ended the day with a tour through Nairobi National Park, a unique game reserve which borders the city. This park is home to over 400 species of bird and contains animals such as lions and giraffes. It’s been a long day, but I am looking forward to many more adventures in Kenya.