Trip to Kenya. Perspective Boost (Vivi’s)
The flight to Nairobi was unexpectedly light and bearable, even short (or so it seemed since we managed to get some sleep). Luckily we were alone on the 3-seat row so I could stretch my legs a little to reduce the pain in my knees after a 4 hour walk in the colourful, cultural and vivacious Amsterdam – a perfect stop in between flights. Unfortunately, the small tv-screens on our row didn’t work properly so no movies this time, although we could enjoy some good old jazz and rock 
At 6:35 am, Nairobi appeared friendly. though a bit moody, because of the clouded heavy sky. It seemed tropical rain was just around the corner but in the end we were left with only a few drops. Air humidity, however, struck me.
Afer receiving a very uncommon boarding blue card, on top of our boarding pass, we spent two very long hours at the gate. Then, to Mombasa we happily went!
One hour later, karibu (welcome) Msa! A nice taxi guy awaited us and together with him some other chaps hoping for some British pounds. Too bad we were Romanian & Spanish, so we could provide none.
The first image of Mombasa for me were the outskirts encountered on the road from the airport to the hotel: dusty streets, derelict buildings, vivid traffic, people on both sides of the road, sitting, moving, working, staring or just selling things. Also, I could easily notice the religious and cultural differences of the area , as there are christian churches on the same road with mosques just about everywhere.
Arriving at the hotel, we were pleased to find everything as expected and much more, as the Indian Ocean sandy beach is near and the people around are very friendly and welcoming. Almost too friendly, I’d say:) Instead of resting after travelling we decided to give a stroll on the beach, so many people approached us trying to selling us hand-made stuff or offering us a safari experience, as they supposed we were tourists.
Also, first day, first typical Kenyan experience: taking the matatu to the closest supermarket, Nakumatt, to buy water and an internet modem. Matatu is a minivan used by Kenyans as a means of local transportation, very cheap and very creative: loud music, fast driving (oh, you should see the local traffic! Besides the British left-side style, it´s crazy but nontheless safe, as everybody´s used to it) and knocking two times on the car top whenever people have to get off.
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