Marita Says: so much

A lot has happened recently and I have been too lazy and probably overwhelmed to really write anything.

I left the Republic of South Africa on January 17 for Nairobi, the start of my extended travels to Asia and parts of North America.

Here is why I would not mind living in Nairobi, the birds. I mentioned them before, I know, but they just overwhelmed me so. Gorgeous birds just about everywhere. Black kites swooping down past you while you walk in a park downtown. Hammerheads sitting on university banners. Sacred ibis covering trees. It was awesome.

Here is why I would not live in Nairobi, the coffee at coffeeshops are mediocre. For a coffee producing country I was quite disappointed. But the blend I picked up to bring over here has proved okay. So maybe I'll just buy my own and make it myself.

The city was not nearly as frightening as I expected. I walked everywhere (I found myself in some dodgy hoods getting questioning looks) and never felt like someone was about to nick my bag. I must add that I only ventured out during the day, so that might make a difference. Some German businessman staying at the backpackers had been mugged twice.

I spent a day visiting the Langata Giraffe centre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe_Centre) and the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/).

The giraffe centre was an absolute highlight. Wicked animals. I'm hoping to have some hanging around my lawn like the ones at the Giraffe Manor too one day.

On my last night in Nairobi I succeeded, unknowingly, to make a Kenyan girl, from the university of Nairobi, fall in love with me.

A group of people, including myself, went out to dinner and she joined in as she wanted to discuss some work with one of the guests. She took our email addresses after dinner, to keep in touch. Three days ago I received an email from her asking me to be 'serious lovers' with her.

Clearly this limp wrist of mine is not doing its job!

Here, some more images from my trip.