Nairobi

I arrived in Nairobi early this morning, around 6:30am. It took me about an hour to get a transit visa and then I grabbed my bag and went directly to this hotel. It has been a quiet past two days for me with little communication and a lot of time to think, but I think I'm doing okay. The hotel staff was amazing and they have spent a lot of time making sure I have everything I need. I was able to get a new cell phone this morning which was a very overwhelming and frankly exhausting experience. The hotel staff and I could not get my cell phone to work so one of the guys offered to walk me over to a shop and have it unlocked. I was all ready with my camera case in hand when I was advised to leave ALL belongings at the hotel. Once I dropped that off in my room and had my super cool money belt on, we went to the shop. The end result was that I bought a new cell phone, but the entire trip included two visits to the phone shop, two visits to the ATM, and multiple conversations with hotel staff. After I got back to my room I was able to speak with my mom for a minute and Tim called. I'm feeling pretty homesick right now and definitely overwhelmed, but I just need to go upstairs, organize a few things and take a deep breathe. I don't want to take the time to cry because crying makes me tired and then I'd want to sleep - and that would really not help my jet lag.

Nairobi is a different city. It's kind of neat because the city just kind of springs up in the middle of wilderness. It definitely feels like a developing city, kind of like Mexico outside of tourist spots. It's very warm here and the streets, especially the city center, are bustling with people. The line at the ATM was 15 people long which kind of threw me off. I definitely stick out like a sore thumb. It's always an interesting experience as a white person to find myself as a minority. It's definitely humbling and I feel like I'm under a microscope. I've been told to be very careful about where I go and what I do. Nairobi is known as Nairobbery, which is kind of funny and actually not funny at all. So I'll most likely be planning any visits or tours directly through the hotel. I'm also calling Michelle's host family today to plan a time to meet them. They should help me adjust a little bit. I still have to look it over, but I am thinking of going to an elephant orphanage, a butterfly sanctuary, and maybe the slums of Kibera. I think it's important to see as much as possible. Well I'm off to hit up the US embassy, I think I need some more pages in my passport . . . All things considered, things could definitely be worse!