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There are many road-stands with ready made garments but most of them offers second hand cloths. It is very popular in Kenya because great majority of the population cannot afford themselves to buy a new cloths. Besides, new cloths in a specialized shops is very expensive, too expensive for average sallary.
The construction of the hut is very simple and most of them have one room only. The hut of Akamba people is divided by poles in two chambers, one where parents sleep and the other for children. As far as I saw, only the Maasai hut consists of more rroms and small kitchen.Each tribe (people) make their characteristic and recognizable type of the hut.
I was in particularly fascinated with Maasais. Besides visiting a couple of their villages, I get to known in person more than dozens of Maasais meeting them around. They are very simple characters, sincere and honest, and devoted to their friends.Maasais are taller than average Kenyans and very proud people. They never begging around, like most of the other tribes, instead they sell beautiful hand made souveniers. The members of the same tribe live in the piece and harmony. It is stricktly definited what is men's and what is women's work inside of the community. Women place is in the home, taking care of the haus, children, coocking and she almost never live the village. Men is hunter, in the first place, than shepherd and his job is to provide food and money. I have noticed a very strong solidarity among those who live in the same community.
Enjoy the people - Africans are very friendly and love to talk to you! Everywhere that I have been in East, Central and Southern Africa (spanning 1972-1995), I have found the people to be very open and hospitable. This photo of Lake Naivasha was taken from our hotel during our 1981 stop-over at the lodge there.
This boy approached to our car when we stopped in front of the restaurant, making this sign which I didn't understand. After we finished our lunch he was still there making this sign repetedly. I gave him 500 shs and he was indescribably happy.Unemployment is the huge problem of Kenya and, as I was told, approximately 50% of the population do not work. The perspectives to find a job are very poor, especially in the northern part of the country.
Great majority of Kenyans live in a very poor living conditions, in particularly those who live in the countryside. Their huts are very simple constructions, one or two rooms made of mud and reed with one entrance and no windows. The rooftop is usually covered by the palm leafs or grass mixed by mud.
Never, ever take photos of local people without asking their permission first. This is considered extremely rude, and people don't take kindly to it. Many of them, especially among the Maasai, make a living of posing for photos for a small present or some money. Many others will happily agree to pose for you without any remuneration. If you really want to make their day, ask them for an address and send the photos to them when you're back home. Most people have never had a photograph of themselves, and they will be treasured very much.
When served by a Kenyan, especially a Kikuyu it is good to first wait for your hosts to eat THEN start in. Be aware that eating before praying for the food is shunned and will put you in bad graces with your host(s). When eating,try a bit of everything so as not to make your host feel bad. If there is something you absolutely can't stomach, say "No thank you" but comment that the meal as a whole is " Vizuri San" or "Very Good", even if the meal was not great. It is also a custom to take Chai or Tea (there is no dessert in Kikuyu or other tribal cooking) with your host(s). Take at least 2 cups to show your gratitude.
One of the first things you will note about Kenyans is that they are very spiritual and pious. over 80% of Kenya is Christian.It's not uncommon to see bible verses written on Matatus or to sit through 10 different "Gospel healing crusade" ads on TV. This can throw many non-christians and private people into a feeling of being a total stranger. Don't be scared or shocked if you hear of people speaking in toungues, "Chasing out Satan", or rolling on the ground crying and wailing. These are all common, as evangelical Signs and Miracles style faith is the norm here. Your hosts or other Kenyans you get to know will probably ask you if you are "Born Again". This may seem like a personal question, but you can always sidestep by explaining your faith or simply replying " Yes, I am saved" if you are indeed a Christian.If your looking to avoid this sort of thing in a church setting, your choices...
The medical system in Kenya is not too bad (one of the things that accounts for the high growth of the population. The people did not get it until now, that they don't need to have many children, because some of them won't survive).Anyway I would not want to go to a hospital down here. I also always take syringes and needles with me, knowing that in some places they only have one syringe for the whole hospital and desinfection is done by cooking it out from time to time. As a tourist you have a good change to be treated better than the average inhabitant, sometimes even getting medication when the others don¡¦t anymore because of a shortage. Then there is the problem of getting medicine. There are pharmacies around, I saw some of them during the safari. The problem is only that you can´t know if you buy reliable medicaments or not. Statistics show that about 40% of the medicaments are...
Nairobi Serena Hotel Nairobi
5 Reviews and 206 Opinions Our partners in SA were having a business conference in Nairobi and needed a hotel with good...
Governors' IlMoran Camp Masai Mara Game Reserve
4 Reviews and 67 Opinions Little Governors Camp was built in 1976 in the Masai Mara in Kenya with its own independent...
Serena Beach Hotel & Spa Mombasa
1 Review and 211 Opinions Quite a long way out of Mombasa to the North, this is said to be one of the best hotels on the coast...
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Q: i want to go to kenya for 5 months with my 3 children and husbin im wondering what are so wonderful sites to see?
A: Hi Why don't you start by reading the many travel pages on Kenya that VT members have already compiled? As you're a new member, you may not yet be aware how to do this....
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