Day 3: Saturday, January 14, 2006 (cont.)

As we drove in Nairobi, we learned:

Nairobi is a city which had 3 million people at the last census count; however, Simon felt that there were many more at the current time as people continue to make their way to the city in an attempt to look for work.

There is a designated corner across from Nairobi University commonly referred to as “God’s corner”; it had 5 churches and a synagogue consolidated on a small parcel of land surrounded by busy streets.

The drive north was a beautiful one, it became both prettier – and greener -- as we approached Meru. The first half of the drive was on relatively smooth roads with multiple police checks (which we were generally just waived through); the second half was still on paved roads – but roads filled with speed bumps and pot holes that were dodged when possible. The road generally had one lane of traffic traveling in both directions (and was called a carriage-way); however, when there was no one else in sight, the entire road was used for one-way travel in an attempt to dodge the potholes.

Along the route, we saw and learned much regarding the seemingly lush crops and vegetation that we were passing:

Kenya is in need of rain, much like other parts of the world; this year has been a dry one (but vegetation is still considerably green when compared to all of our homes).

Tea and coffee are the primary exports; however, the third was surprisingly flowers. As we passed several greenhouses, we were informed that Kenya ships 20,000 stems daily – mostly to Europe.

Del Monte plays an active role in the ownership and production of pineapple here (and we attested at breakfast and later at tea this afternoon that the pineapple here was very tasty).

Papyrus was sold multiple places along the route. It was cut into designated lengths and placed in bundles or screens. The locals use it on their roofs to help stay cool.

Subsistence farming is common.

Maize, bananas, rice, mangos and papayas were seen growing in abundance at different sections of the drive.

Submitted by Kellye J