Chasing the Spirit of Africa: Diaries of a Zulu Girl in Nairobi

From the bustling streets of Umlazi, a township in KwaZulu Natal South Africa, to the big city lights of Nairobi, beaming with the Spirit of African Unity as The Magical Kenya Travel Expo was underway, a girl could have only dreamed of such a wholesome experience.

This was my very first time abroad so the excitement was beyond me. I travelled comfortably with RwandAir and checked in to Emara Ole-Sereni, which as the millennials would say, is the Mother of all 5-star hotels. Striking elegance and luxurious ambience were my first impressions, and the cherry on top had to be the views of the Nairobi National Park from the Acacia Restaurant, as well as from the Maskaan Lounge.

We set off to the Uhuru Gardens Memorial Park where the Expo was being held. The venue itself was absolutely enchanting, Kenya’s largest safari memorial Park. The Exhibition hall was just buzzing with vibrant, colorful stands. I met so many amazing people, but the highlight of Day 1 for me was meeting and taking pictures with the Masai Tribe. I felt like everything I’ve ever read about them was true – from their distinct appearance to how they are still deeply rooted in their cultural practices. Did you know that Masaai children are only named after 3 months and that women actually build their houses?? Mind-blowing Right! I ended the day off with a Kenyan specialty called Nyama Choma at Ashaki Grill. We have plenty goats in South Africa, but I had never tasted goat meat like the one from Nairobi in my life. The trick is definitely in the preparation since I don’t think it’s even seasoned and grilled to perfection.

Day 2 came through with the Africa Tourism Investment Forum Seminar which was hosted by African Tourism Board. This Seminar was all about unlocking cross-border growth through travel, trade and investment. Dinner was served outside the museum, courtesy of Carnivore Restaurant. Day 3 had me feeling like a Tsonga Princess (a South African tribe, as per my outfit). I explored most of the stands at the exhibition which was a plethora of the tourism industry networking. I closed off the Expo with a debriefing and reflection dinner back at Emara Ole-Sereni. Afterwards, I checked in to an AirBnB in Lavington, an upmarket side of Nairobi. It is a stylish and affordable apartments with fast Wi-Fi and close to several amenities.

I took a walk to Covo Square the next morning, bought some ginger-spiced sugarcane juice on the street which tasted like a healthy shot of something good. People in Kenya are very friendly. I quickly discovered that saying Habari or Jambo was a dead giveaway that I am from the South, since Kenyans casually use Sasa when they greet each other. Later on, I grabbed some light lunch at the Cleanshelf freshmarket café.

As a staunch Catholic, I made sure to visit a church on my last day in Nairobi. There I was in an uber to Our lady of Guadalupe Parish, both nervous and excited. As like many other Catholic churches, this one was just as beautiful and huge. In I went and sat comfortably, ready for my soul to be revived.  At first, I wondered why my neighbors were not singing, little did I know that I was sitting in the section for the deaf community. I silently laughed at myself and was too embarrassed to change seats but I was equally impressed at the fact that this community was so well accommodated here in Nairobi.

I took a ride on a bike, popularly known as the boda-boda back to the apartment and got lost – because I apparently failed to explain the neighborhood well, to the bike man – I thought I was staying in Kilimani, instead of Lavington. He took me to two different shopping malls in Kilimani and I kept saying, “Nope. Not here.” He was kind enough to let me take a picture with him on the bike – which was very important to me. Otherwise nobody would have believed I actually rode the boda-boda, without a picture.

I definitely plan to visit Kenya again and this time I must visit the Maasai Village, Mombasa as well as experience the nightlife of Nairobi. Till then, nilifurahia kukaa kwangu Nairobi. Asante Sana!