Move over ME...Here comes Africa!

As many of you know, my desire has been to return to the Middle East ever since my initial visit to it in the early 90s.  At that time it grabbed a place in my heart, and probably created this romantic version of what life should be like. Of course, I was young, single and didn't have a care in the world.  Now, I have a beautiful wife who functions better without me than with me, and 7 children who are just as amazing as their mom.  Having said that, the challenges we've faced in the Middle East have not been insignificant, but thanks to Catherine's amazing strength and just outright positive attitude, we have done alright. The Middle East has been very good, and we are now enjoying Jordan immensely. I think we'll enjoy it even more if we can get settled and get out and see some things.

Now, having said that, I've just spent the last four days here in Nairobi, Kenya. Catherine's brother Wade came here in a mission shortly after Bubs and I got married.  I never really talked with him to in depth about it, but I can see the need to revisit with him about this place.  This place has just been incredible.  Many of you have thoughts about the 'dangers' of the ME, that I have scoffed at for years, yet I have echoed those same thoughts and fears about Africa.  Now, having spent some time here in Nairobi, I will repent.  I'd like Growl to weigh in on this (if he even reads our blog), but let me tell you some interesting things about the folks here in Kenya that I've observed in just a few short days.

First, these people are very much an optimistic people.  They always seem to be smiling these big grins and welcoming me with a handshake and a hug (you don't get that in the ME very much).  This optimism is just catchy and despite the troubles, they still keep that smile and welcoming you here.  While I have only interacted with what would be considered the upper class I suppose, the taxi drivers, doormen, shopkeepers and others have exhibited similar attributes. 

Second, the land. Here in Kenya they have an entire game preserve right within the confines of Kenya. I spent almost 6-hours there this morning with one of my colleagues and can't wait to bring the family down to this. He was telling me he had already been to the Nairobi Wildlife Park seven times, and never gets tired of going.  I have included some of the pictures on the blog, but we saw giraffes, a rhino, impalas, crocodiles, hippoes, and numerous other animals that I don't know the names of (one of the reasons I need the kids with me).  Driving through I could not believe I was actually in Africa. I also spent a little time walking through some of the streets and they were very green and lush.  The temperature is even more temperate than Jordan (as it's on the equator).

Some oddities.  Well, I don't mean to be crass in a family blog, but something needs to be told about the unusual greeting I found in the men's restroom.  As I stood beside the urinal, I noticed that each of the urinals was full of ice.  Now, I don't want to go into the bathroom etiquette I learned (or didn't learn as the case may be) throughout all my growing up and adult years, but it never included anything about ice in the urinals.  I went through all types of scenarios and answers (and some questions) about why putting ice in the urinals.  None of them are likely to be printed out here, or even discussed. However, it intrigued me enough that I asked Barnabas (one of the fantastic attendants at the hotel).  He gave me a queer look as if I were some silly American, and let me know that it helped to keep the odor down.  Now, I'm not really sure if that is scientifically proven or what, but everytime I went went to the rest room, I found all the urinals freshly stocked with ice.  

Power shortages are nothing new here in Africa, and from what everyone has told me, they are frequent enough that no one pays them any attention.  Several of my friends have shared stories where they were presenting or meeting and the power went out.  Neither speakers nor attendees batted an eye when it did, both meetings and presentations proceeded uninteruppted or even without comment, until power resumed.  Well, while not quite that exact same situation, I did have an experience that demonstrated people's familiarity with the odd things happening.  I was on the elevator going from my room to the lobby.  When it reached the second floor, the elevator began the shake and the light blinked on and off.  It lurched to a stop somewhere between 2 and lobby.  There was a man and woman in the elevator with me and they both just kind of looked at each other and me, and then sighed.  It wasn't a sigh of exasperation or unusual activity, but rather one of familiarity.  They hit the alarm button a few times, pulled out there cell phones and began conducting business. I asked them both (when they got off their phones) if we should call the hotel or bang on the door or something. They both let me know that they rang the alarm and that someone would be along and restart the elevator so we could go down.  So, we all sat there patiently, ringing the alarm and waiting for the next 30 minutes.  Have you ever spent 30 minutes of your life trapped in an elevator?  I'm sure it's pretty much the same in Kenya or Utah.  I was smiling to myself thinking of how Catherine would be reacting (I'm sure it would be like a scene from the Fall of the House of Usher or something).  Finally, after 30 minutes or so of ringing and such, I thought we just as well try to open the doors and yell out or something.  I began to open the doors, wedging my fingers in the cracks. It wasn't that hard and I did get it open after just a couple of brief tugs.  To my shock and amazement, I stepped right out into the lobby. The elevator had arrived at our destination, but the doors had just malfunctioned.  It could have been the most wasted 30 minutes of my life.  Except perhaps for all that D&D I did as a kid I suppose.

Anyway, it has been a joy to be here in Kenya, and I spent some a little time driving around in the evenings and found a wonderful street called Ngong street (you familiar with this one Growl?) on which you could find any type of commodity or manufactured item.  If you didn't find what you were looking for, you could get it custom built.  It was amazing.  I also went down Biasharia street which is full of textile and houseware stores. It was bustle and activity. Every time I turned around there was this beautiful flash of oranges, reds, greens and blues as many of the Kenyans wore just wonderfully exotic clothing.  The men wore their suits and ties, and many a time I thought for sure I was looking at some Mormon missionaries.  I hope next time to find the Church and see if we can't attend.

Yes, I did say next time.  I will be seeing if I can't get back to Kenya and some of the other countries of Africa. There is a lot of energy and need for a lot of things, but certainly not a lack of desire or intelligence. These are great and smart folks.  Upon my return we'll see if I can't smuggle a kid or two in with me and they can hang out for a day or two.

Well, that's my take on Kenya. Hopefully we'll get a little more detail about other African countries in the next few months and maybe our next move will be to Africa.  Hmmm.