| Facing Forward and Looking Back—My Trip to Kenya Marcus A. Ferdinand |
My first trip away from the confines of the United States brought me to the African nation of Kenya. I have
always desired to visit Kenya, and to this day I am amazed by the idea that I have set foot on the same ancient
lands where mankind’s earliest ancestors would evolve into our present form. It’s humbling to think that
hundreds of thousands of years have passed since my ancestors have last inhabited this land. In so many
ways, going to Kenya was like returning home-- not only as a Black man, but more importantly, as a human
being. Since I have always been somewhat disillusioned by American life, visiting Kenya has awakened a
dormant portion of my soul. In Kenya, I was able to forge a connection with my past and that has been
immensely beneficial in guiding me to the future.
always desired to visit Kenya, and to this day I am amazed by the idea that I have set foot on the same ancient
lands where mankind’s earliest ancestors would evolve into our present form. It’s humbling to think that
hundreds of thousands of years have passed since my ancestors have last inhabited this land. In so many
ways, going to Kenya was like returning home-- not only as a Black man, but more importantly, as a human
being. Since I have always been somewhat disillusioned by American life, visiting Kenya has awakened a
dormant portion of my soul. In Kenya, I was able to forge a connection with my past and that has been
immensely beneficial in guiding me to the future.
My plane landed in the still darkness of the Kenyan night.
As I was driven from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
to my hotel, I was amazed by the level of development that
Nairobi has reached. For the first time in my life, I saw the
modern face of Africa. In many ways, the streets of Nairobi
were no different than those of any other city that I have had
the pleasure to visit. They were filled with shops, vendors,
car dealerships, skyscrapers, hotels and anything else that
one would expect to find in a modern capitol. This picture of
a vibrant and modernizing Africa is typically not shown in the
Western media. This is not to say that Nairobi isn’t without
its problems. In fact, one of my biggest difficulties was with
dealing with the horrible air quality within the city during
peak traffic hours. The sky takes a hazy gray tone and the
smell of burning diesel fuel clogs the nostrils. I would not
recommend those with breathing difficulties to spend too
much time in Nairobi because it can be fairly strenuous on
the respiratory system. I suppose that this problem arose
because the city has grown at such a rapid pace that the
infrastructure has been unable to keep pace. Therefore
roads have not adequately widened to accommodate the
exponential growth in population. This will undoubtedly be a
big obstacle to Kenya’s future development. Another one of
the big differences between Nairobi and American cities was
the prevalence of matatus on the roads. I would go so far
as to estimate that 1 of every 4 vehicles on the road in
Kenya is a matatu. A matatu is basically a Nissan minivan
used as a taxi/bus service. Although they have fixed prices
As I was driven from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
to my hotel, I was amazed by the level of development that
Nairobi has reached. For the first time in my life, I saw the
modern face of Africa. In many ways, the streets of Nairobi
were no different than those of any other city that I have had
the pleasure to visit. They were filled with shops, vendors,
car dealerships, skyscrapers, hotels and anything else that
one would expect to find in a modern capitol. This picture of
a vibrant and modernizing Africa is typically not shown in the
Western media. This is not to say that Nairobi isn’t without
its problems. In fact, one of my biggest difficulties was with
dealing with the horrible air quality within the city during
peak traffic hours. The sky takes a hazy gray tone and the
smell of burning diesel fuel clogs the nostrils. I would not
recommend those with breathing difficulties to spend too
much time in Nairobi because it can be fairly strenuous on
the respiratory system. I suppose that this problem arose
because the city has grown at such a rapid pace that the
infrastructure has been unable to keep pace. Therefore
roads have not adequately widened to accommodate the
exponential growth in population. This will undoubtedly be a
big obstacle to Kenya’s future development. Another one of
the big differences between Nairobi and American cities was
the prevalence of matatus on the roads. I would go so far
as to estimate that 1 of every 4 vehicles on the road in
Kenya is a matatu. A matatu is basically a Nissan minivan
used as a taxi/bus service. Although they have fixed prices
and set routes, they normally don’t follow any specific schedule. They are, by far, the most common form of
transport used by Kenyans looking to travel short distances. Riding a matatu is an interesting experience
because the seats are extremely small and the drivers are well-known for their recklessness. In any case, it
was enjoyable and by far the cheapest means of getting around the country.
The best thing about traveling to Kenya is that anyone of African descent will most likely be mistaken as a
native. No one had any idea that I wasn’t Kenyan until they realized that I didn’t speak very much Swahili.
This allowed me to venture around more freely than other tourists because I wasn’t constantly being haggled
to buy something. Overall, Kenyans are some of the nicest people that I have ever had the opportunity to
meet. It was wonderful to interact with the different Kenyan tribes because I saw the diversity that existed
within a country of roughly 35 million people.
transport used by Kenyans looking to travel short distances. Riding a matatu is an interesting experience
because the seats are extremely small and the drivers are well-known for their recklessness. In any case, it
was enjoyable and by far the cheapest means of getting around the country.
The best thing about traveling to Kenya is that anyone of African descent will most likely be mistaken as a
native. No one had any idea that I wasn’t Kenyan until they realized that I didn’t speak very much Swahili.
This allowed me to venture around more freely than other tourists because I wasn’t constantly being haggled
to buy something. Overall, Kenyans are some of the nicest people that I have ever had the opportunity to
meet. It was wonderful to interact with the different Kenyan tribes because I saw the diversity that existed
within a country of roughly 35 million people.
I participated in a traditional Giriama dance, drank milk
directly from a cow in Watamu, and slept beneath the stars in
Machakos. Throughout my entire journey, I never felt as if I
was being judged. In fact, the people of Kenya seemed to
genuinely enjoy my company. I would have to say that this
was the biggest culture shock of my trip because I have never
experienced such sincerity in all of my life. As an American, it
is nice to know that such places still exist in a rapidly
changing world. My advice to anyone interested in visiting
Kenya is to learn a few words of Swahili before traveling.
Doing so is very rewarding because it will allow you to
venture out into the smaller towns and experience the simpler
life that really sets Kenya apart from other nations around the
world. Cities are the same all throughout the globe, but
Kenya’s soul lies in the people which inhabit the smaller
ancestral towns.
directly from a cow in Watamu, and slept beneath the stars in
Machakos. Throughout my entire journey, I never felt as if I
was being judged. In fact, the people of Kenya seemed to
genuinely enjoy my company. I would have to say that this
was the biggest culture shock of my trip because I have never
experienced such sincerity in all of my life. As an American, it
is nice to know that such places still exist in a rapidly
changing world. My advice to anyone interested in visiting
Kenya is to learn a few words of Swahili before traveling.
Doing so is very rewarding because it will allow you to
venture out into the smaller towns and experience the simpler
life that really sets Kenya apart from other nations around the
world. Cities are the same all throughout the globe, but
Kenya’s soul lies in the people which inhabit the smaller
ancestral towns.
The highlight of my trip was definitely my visit to the ancient city of Mombasa. It is Kenya’s second largest city
and it lies along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Because of its ideal location, Mombasa is a place where
African, Arab, Indian and European traders have visited for centuries to exchange goods with one another.
This mixture of cultures is reflected in the faces of the locals. In fact, Mombasa physically resembles an old
Middle-Eastern city with its narrow streets and beautifully designed Mosques. I have never visited a coastal
town that I did not like and Mombasa is no different.
and it lies along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Because of its ideal location, Mombasa is a place where
African, Arab, Indian and European traders have visited for centuries to exchange goods with one another.
This mixture of cultures is reflected in the faces of the locals. In fact, Mombasa physically resembles an old
Middle-Eastern city with its narrow streets and beautifully designed Mosques. I have never visited a coastal
town that I did not like and Mombasa is no different.
Although it is a very busy city, Mombasa offers
scenic beauty that one does not find in Nairobi.
Someday, I would like to build a home in Mombasa
so that I can be a part of the culture of the city.
There are many European expats living in Mombasa
so many of the goods and services that one finds in
America are also available there. I was even told
that the US Navy occasionally stops there while on
missions to the Middle East.
I stayed in Kenya for a total of two weeks and visited
the cities of: Nairobi, Machakos, Watamu, Malindi,
and Mombasa on a whirlwind tour of this beautiful
nation.
scenic beauty that one does not find in Nairobi.
Someday, I would like to build a home in Mombasa
so that I can be a part of the culture of the city.
There are many European expats living in Mombasa
so many of the goods and services that one finds in
America are also available there. I was even told
that the US Navy occasionally stops there while on
missions to the Middle East.
I stayed in Kenya for a total of two weeks and visited
the cities of: Nairobi, Machakos, Watamu, Malindi,
and Mombasa on a whirlwind tour of this beautiful
nation.
Kenya offers a wide variety of experiences ranging from tours available to those who want to ‘rough it’ to a
luxurious vacation spent in 5-star hotels and chartered safaris. I would recommend spending a little time in
both worlds because it offers an interesting look into the lives of the Kenyan people. Overall, this experience
has given me a new perspective on life and has provided me with a sense of community that I had previously
not been able to find in the USA.
I would definitely recommend Kenya to anyone looking to experience the real Africa.
luxurious vacation spent in 5-star hotels and chartered safaris. I would recommend spending a little time in
both worlds because it offers an interesting look into the lives of the Kenyan people. Overall, this experience
has given me a new perspective on life and has provided me with a sense of community that I had previously
not been able to find in the USA.
I would definitely recommend Kenya to anyone looking to experience the real Africa.
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