Nairobi Lowdown

Shopping: The Vegan Store

The Vegan Store is a small food stand along Ngong Road.  It is located a couple of k’s before the Karen round about on the left side (S 01’19.073’ E036’42.981).  They advertise organic and fresh produce. The set-up of the shop is fantastic with great signage. 

You can’t miss it.  However, the vegetables and fruits looked rather sad.  If that’s organic, I don’t want it.  That said, I think lack of refrigeration is more the problem and they are promising to install a fridge shortly. 
Also, if one places an order in advance they will hopefully get first rate organic or regular product.  How one knows the difference, I don’t know. Click on the photo for the contact details. They also offer delivery service.

Upcoming Restaurant: Paprika Mexican Restaurant

Hallelujah!  A Mexican Restaurant is coming to Karen. It will be on the side of the Nakumatt Karen entrance at the Crossroads. I don't know what format it will take, whether more take away or sit-down style.  I assume considering the location that take away will feature strongly.  Does anyone out there know when the opening will be?  I hope they can get near the standards of my favorite Mexican chain of take aways - Chipotle.  Chipotle sets the standard in terms of style, quality, and taste.  All the best to Paprika. I hope they have success commiserate with their product.

A Blog: Kikuyumoja's Realm

Everyone check out Kikuyumoja's blog.  This German seems to spend a lot of time on the street (whereas I spend a lot of time on the street in my vehicle, getting out once in a while).  As a result, does some nice pictorials.  The recent one on a video game parlour located on Moi Ave brought back a lot of memories.  Cudo's to this joint for keepin' them going.

Upcoming Music: Electric Jazz Orchestra at Karen

The Electric Jazz Orchestra will perform at the Karen Blixon Coffee Gardens on Sunday June 11 at 5:30 PM. Tickets for this evening of cocktails and jazz cost Ksh 1000 inclusive of refreshments.  They are available from all Dormans Coffee Shops, Karen Connection, Langata Link, and Karen Blixon Coffee Gardens or by contacting 020-3872235, 0724-698537, 0735-949822, or 0722-612950

EJO is a group based at the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in Ohio, USA. They will be in Kenya on a trip to visit several orphanages, reach out to those with HIV/AIDS, and share what I hope will be some great music.

This event is sponsered by Kenya Airways/KLM.  All proceeds will go to the RETRAK organization working with street kids in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. 

Blading Waiyaki

On my way out of town last week I shot this short video of a roller blader catching a lift from a matatu near Kangemi.  To the blader - if you ever read this, you rock!

Shopping: Apic Centre

The Apic Centre is one of those many shopping centres in Nairobi that had their hey day in the early 90's.  That said, there are several reasons to go there. It is located on Muthithi Road in Westlands to the right of Steers. (S 01'15.824' E036'48.341') It has plenty of street level parking, although it might be a tight squeeze with a roof racked Rover or Cruiser.  The shops are a mix of restaurant, electronic, clothing boutique, and jewelry.

Four highlights -

Kenya Lampshade: the first shop in the front has a wide selection of lampshades and related products.  We bought a few small shades there. In the end, they were not a good fit.  We took them back the next day and they gladly exchanged them.  They also have a shop at Adam's Arcade on Ngong Road. Ground floor

Ashiana Vegetarian Restaurant:  I've eaten Indian food in Lusaka, Durban, Boston, New York, Montreal, and of course Nairobi.  I wouldn't say this is the best I've had, but it is close in terms of consistency in taste and my overall enjoyment. Then again, in view of the price, it probably is the best. A full Thali will set you back Kshs. 320 The atmosphere is cafeteria.  It's not the place to go to impress your friends with a fancy location. 

If your visiting Nairobi or live here and enjoy Indian food, you need to visit.  If others in your group don't enjoy Indian cooking, they have a large selection of pizzas (fresh dough prepared daily and homemade tomoato sauce). The ingredients are very fresh.  The spices used lend themselves to some of the best flavoured Indian food I've had.

I especially enjoy the Pani Puri(Kshs 180), Ashiana Bhel(Kshs 195), and the Aloo Cholle (Kshs 275).  The wide variety of Dhosa are very good. If visiting on the weekend, be sure to have some Shrikhand for dessert.

Upon presentation of your Nakumatt Smart Card, the owner will give an additional 10 % off the bill. The place is often full of Asian families on the weekend.  As good of a recommendation as any.

Located on ground floor Contacts: cell 0733-741905 land line 020-3749797 fax 020-3752424

Jude's Second 2 None - This shop sells fashionable men's and women's clothing hand picked by the owner from the mutimba piles.  The staff are dressed as if they work at Express and the stock reflects their good taste.  Prices are reasonable for good condition pre-owned clothing.  The store manager is Jude Thaddeus.  He can be contacted on 0722-731442 Ground floor

Mitsuminet Cable Vision - this company is spreading the tentacles of their product throughout Nairobi and it presents a good alternative to DSTV at a competitive price. The bouquet is heavily slanted towards Hindi programming, with plenty of Bollywood on offer.  However, there are enough English options to keep most people happy.  Examples - SABC-3, Fashion TV, Comedy Max, Euro Sports, Fox Sports, Extreme Sports, HBO, Show Time, Movie Max, VH1, MTV, NDTV, BBC World, CNN, Nick, Fox Kids, and Bloomberg. Contacts - Land line 020-3747771/5 email info at cablevision.co.ke  Located on 1st floor.

Traveling to the Masai Mara

I've been out to the Mara for about a week.  Very beautiful right now, but hard to see the fauna.  A lion can be 10 meteres away, but I can't see him due to the high grass.

Getting to the Mara by road is always a challange, so let's say - Your trying to take advantage of off-season rates and visit one of the lodges on the Transmara side of the park.  It is a beautiful part with much less chance of seeing the hoards of vans that afflict the eastern side.  You've booked into Mara Serena, Olonana, Mara Siria, Mpata Safari Club, Mara West, or Kichwa Tembo.  But your driving the 4X4 as you need to save a bit of money as the whole family is going.  As you get near the turn off to the C13 road that goes to the park via Ngorengore and Lemek you see dark clouds to the southwest.  Oh no, dark thoughts of black cotton mud fill your mind.  This type of mud that is in the plains to the north of the park can render most 4x4's impotent.

Here's the alternative - Continue on the good road out of Narok towards Sotik. This will take about 1hr. 17 min. Once reaching the T-junction in Sotik (S 00'40.546' E035'08.412') turn left towards Kisii. In about 25 minutes  you will come to the town of Keroka. Turn left towards Nyangusu (S 00'46.802' E034'56.851') This part will take about 35 minutes. This road is under repair by the Kay Construction Co. and it appears they are doing a good job.  It will eventually be paved.  Upon reaching the junction in Nyangusu (S 00'55.907' E034'50.427') turn left towards Kilgoris.  This section of "paved road" is quite bad, but its only about . Turn left at the roundabout in Kilgoris (S 01'00.446' E034'52.847') and continue on this gravel road which is at times quite rough. After about 1 km. you will see a sign on the left pointing towards the Masai Mara.  DON'T take this road.  It is not an all weather road. Continue straight towards Lolgorian. Midway to Lolgorian you will cross the Migori River on the on the P.W.D. Maghor River Bridge (S 01'10.330' E034'50.200') which was built in 1937. Does anyone know who Maghor was?  I can't find anything on the Internet.  Please let me know if you have any info. Before coming into Lolgorian town you will see a Kenya Police Post and Telkom tower on your left.  Just past this you will turn left towards the Oloololo Gate of the Park (S 01'13.662' E034'48.542'). It is now about 35 kms. to the park.  Before reaching the gate you will come to a junction with sign boards directing you to the various lodges and camps.

This route will add 1 to 1.5 hours overall to your trip, but potentially save you time, as you will most likely not get stuck. Corrolla station wagon taxi's ply this route all the time.  Overall, this route is going to take you around 6.5 hours from Nairobi.

Film: World Premiere of "Mo & Me"

The World Premiere of "Mo & Me" was a truly gala event tonight.  I might be wrong, but I don't think an event like that happens with any frequency in Nairobi.  The only thing holding one back from imagining that they are at a true Hollywood event was the location - at The Junction.

Salim was a truly gracious host and gave a moving speech.  He certainly deserves accolades for where he has taken himself and Camerapix.  Ultimately though, the credit goes to Mo for planting the seed in his son. Please, please go and see this documentary.  I wasn't able to get exact show times and locations, but it is playing at all Nu Metro cinema locations. Check the Standard or Daily Nation for times.

Upcoming Film: "Mo and Me"

"Mo and Me", a documentary that tells the life of Mohamed Amin, opens to the public on the 18th of May at The Junction along Ngong Road.  As soon as I get the show times and run length I will post it here.  It has been shown in NYC and LA to great acclaim.

Mohamed was the Kenyan photojournelist who greatly impacted the world with his pictures of the Ethiopian famine during 1984.  He worked on a wide variety of subjects, from African coups to African wildlife.  His work probably had a greater impact on the world community than any other Kenyan. George HW Bush stated - "Mohamed Amin mobilised the conscience of mankind. Many millions are alive today because he risked his life time and again". Mother Teresa told him that "God sent you for this hour". In 1996, an air crash off the Comoros Island took his life.

His son, Salim Amin, has admirably continued his work.  Lately he has been promoting the idea of a African satillite TV network, along the lines of Al-Jazeera.  The Mohamad Amin Foundation sponsers the training of aspiring African TV producers.  If you purchased a coffee table book containing the beauty of Kenya or a guide to other African countries, there is a good chance it was published by Camerapix, the company founded by Mohamed and currently run by Salim.

An excellent book about his life is "The Man Who Moved the World" by Bob Smith with Salim Amin. It is available at most Nairobi bookshops or for readers in NA or Europe it is available at Amazon.com

Dining: Industrial Eating

So your slaving away all day in the industrial area, buying supplies for camp or the mission station. What's a good place for lunch?  You could always buy a plate of beans and chapati from one of the mama's that service the fundi's and workers in the area.  But, you want to sit and relax.  A couple of options - # 1 next to Car & General on Lusaka Rd. is a little place called "Baguette".  And, of course they have lots of sandwich options based on a baguette.  And salad's and fresh fruit juice.  And very good apple pie with ice cream.  Seating is very good and on two floors. It is owned by a charming Iranian  or Lebanese(wild guess, I'll have to ask her next time I go) women.  Which might explain it's popularity with the muzungu businessman crowd.  Other than the excellent food that is.  Expect to spend around 600-700 for lunch. #2 Motorway Cafe behing the Paranah Centre on Mombasa Road.  Clean, very basic sitting area on a shaded outdoor patio. They serve a variety of westernized Indian food.  They have very good veggie burgers, meat and veggie curries served with rice and salad.  The very cheerful couple serve a large lunch time crowd.  This is Indian "grub" at it's best.  Not gourmet, but great tasting fare that will fill you up.  Your spend around 300-400 KS.