Thoughts and photos from Kenya

A quick update since I’m right in the middle of my conference (2 minute read)

I’m busy with my conference right now – it runs right through the weekend – and I’ve got to give priority to preparing for my presentation and workshop. So I’m sorry I don’t have a proper article for you.

So here are a few brief thoughts and some photos.

First thought: Kenya takes its restrictions on plastic bottles seriously. They aren’t banned completely, as plastic bags are, but they are banned from national parks and various other parks and reserves. If you want to take water, you need a proper refillable bottle.

When I visited Karura Forest, I saw how seriously they take enforcement. At the start of the walk, there was a security check. Now, security checks are common in Nairobi – to get into a shopping mall, my bag was x-rayed. But in the Karura Forest, the guard looked in my backpack to see what kind of water bottle I had. Fortunately, I was prepared and had a suitable bottle, which was allowed in.

Image on the right is a column of ants (image credit: Melanie Newfield)

Second thought: Nairobi traffic is every bit as bad as I’ve heard. Yesterday I had my conference field trip, and at the end of the day we spent about two hours crossing the centre of the city and out to the suburb where the conference is held. It’s probably a 20 minute journey in lighter traffic.

Why is it so bad? One Nairobi resident pointed out to me that the city has a population of over five million and no metro system. The only public transport is provided by a large number of antiquated buses and minivans. Everyone who needs to move around Nairobi moves on the road.

Kenyan cut roses, packed mostly in cardboard and paper rather than plastic (image credit: Melanie Newfield)

Third thought: one of the most exciting things for me here has been learning some new plants. There are a lot of eucalypts around Nairobi, but there are plenty of African trees too. One is the yellow acacia, which is so named for its unusual yellow bark. It has the most impressive spines I’ve ever seen on any plant. Check out the pictures below – as a bonus, in one of them you can also see the nests of weaver birds.

Yellow acacia with its seriously menacing spines (image credit: Melanie Newfield)

Fourth thought: Kenya is the kind of place where I regret being a caffeine addict. It’s a major coffee growing country, but there’s not a lot of good coffee available in the places I’ve been so far. Mostly, what’s on offer is instant. I wonder whether it’s because they have more of a tea drinking culture or if it’s one of those situations where the best of what they produce is exported.

coffee berries (image credit: Melanie Newfield)

That’s all from me today. I hope to have some more for you soon.