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| 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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. 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
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.
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.