Tales from Nanyuki

December 10, 2011

Today I received a marriage proposal.

Walking through our current home town, Nanyuki, is never boring – especially when you are a mzungu. (I have no pictures from the city, so you will be treated to another round of flowers)

We stopped for a parade of honking and decorated cars that turned out to be heading for a weeding – as explained to us by a random passing guy. He was kind enough to offer to marry me and hadn’t it been for the fact that he was several years my senior, was missing several teeth and was in a state of general scruffiness, I might have considered the offer.

It did not take us long to find a favorite café – the Boulangerie just off the main street. We may not have visited any of the others yet, but who needs variation when the milkshakes at the B are awesome and made with real ice-cream or when the salad for the burgers and sandwiches doesn’t give you diarrhea(the food is excellent too by the way)? Also, the B is a good place to meet other ex-pats. Our first time there we spent an hour with two Americans from the Peace Corps who gave us several tips on places to go.

The Nakumatt staff would beat all Danish supermarket employees in the discipline of customer service any day of the week.
Walk down Laikipia Road past the house with the Fanta paint and follow the sign to the Mandera Shopping Complex. It’s ok to go through the slightly creepy looking corridor because in the courtyard is a small “mall” with a variety of clothing stores run mostly by Somalis it seems. They will be eager to lure you in and might not be that good at English(money seemed to be a word they knew quite well though), but it’s a curious place to take a stroll.

There’s always a line to the Western Union office – no matter what day of the week we come by.

Across the main road from Laikipia Road is a big market. At first look it may seem that there are only stores lined next to the road, but there’s actually a big area behind them with everything your heart desires in clothes and shoes. Also, if you dare to challenge the locals, at least four pool tables have been set up under the tarps.

Last weekend we passed by the Shell station when an overhanging power wire suddenly started shooting sparks. Needless to say, we walked away pretty quickly. We heard no explosions and the station was still there today, so nothing happened.

Our home for the time being

Margaret’s husband Tom was home this weekend before heading off to Nigeria for a year. He works with the up-start of farms and agriculture in general.

I’m sure there will be many more tales to tell in the near future. Have a great weekend!