Day 2 – Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya

We arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport late on Thursday evening. Our tour guides met us as we exited the arrivals terminal. From there, we went to our hotel. The first night’s accommodations were at the Fairview Hotel http://www.fairviewhotel.website. 

The Fairview is located across the street from the Israeli Embassy. Because of this, security is high and tight. The hotel guards scanned our luggage, and we all had to pass a security check before we were cleared to enter the hotel. We had to sign in with our US passports. There was armed military personnel all around the building.

After checking in, I was given my room key and warmly welcomed to Kenya. One of the porters brought my luggage up to my room and showed me the various amenities.  

To help decrease the impact of jet lag, a friend of mine had suggested that I try taking a daily dose of melatonin beginning a few days before I left. So, 2 days before departure, I started taking 5 mg at my anticipated bedtime in Kenya. I am glad that it worked for me. After a total of 26 hours of travel, I was excited but tired enough to sleep. I hit that hotel room, got oriented, and organized. I took the melatonin. Then I climbed into bed, stretched once, and aside from waking once to a shrieking bird, I slept like a baby till daylight.

Morning

I awoke the next morning to the sound of someone sweeping outside. I knew it was sweeping, but it didn’t sound like the kind of sweeping I am familiar with. 

I know that sounds funny. Let me explain. If you think about it, there are several different ways to sweep a surface. They all have their own particular sound. For example, you can sweep with a broom on a vinyl floor, as you might do in your kitchen. Using a broom with plastic bristles on vinyl sounds different than if you used a broom with corn stalk bristles. It will sound different again if you are sweeping a ceramic tile floor or carpeting. Using a push-broom on a concrete floor has a different sound and rhythm altogether. You get the picture? Yeah ok…the devil is in the details they say.

Anyway, I woke up to a different sound and rhythm of sweeping outside my window. I couldn’t see who or what was sweeping. I tucked the whole question into the mental file called “Curious” and got ready for breakfast.

This was the first day in Kenya. Our tour group met in the dining area at the appointed time and filled their plates from the buffet. I looked at the breakfast offerings. There was plenty of meat, milk, cheese, eggs, quiche, and pastries…Just Perfect for a non-eater of animal products.  Ok! so I asked to speak to the chef.

The chef came out. I told him that I do not eat animals or animal products. This was the start of my practice for the next 2 weeks in Kenya. I spoke with the chef in each lodge. I told each one, “Hi, my name is Meryl. I will be staying at this lodge until______. I do not eat any animal products. No cow, chicken, turkey, fish, milk, eggs, cheese, butter, yogurt. And I have a soy allergy. Besides the salad bar, would you please tell me what I can eat from the buffet?” 

The chef was so gracious. He showed me around the buffet. He made sure there was almond milk. He verified how many meals I would be eating at the hotel, He ended the conversation with, “Hakuna Matata. We will have something special for you for every meal.”

And they did!

This was my breakfast the following morning.