Draft.: Like a local.

Life in Africa is hard. We cannot trust everyone, but also sometimes, you don't really have a choice.

The other day we went to Nairobi. We had several tasks that had to be done:

(-get to the city;)
-go to the Bank;
-pay the safari;
-buy the mobile internet router;
-register my mobile phone;
-buy some groceries;
-have lunch;
-do sightseeing;
(-go back home.)

The adventure began with the walk to Rongai where we would catch a bus to the city. This time we went through a shortcut that Jane taught us that morning. We came across many cows and goats. From past experiences, I was more frightened by the goats than by the bigger and much stronger cows.

Well, we got to Rongai safe (only two weird guys approached us on the way) and another chapter just got started: finding the bus no.125 to Nairobi. We got to the area where all of the buses are, when one guy came running toward us and said 'Nao?' pointing at his Matatu already full with passengers. At first we didn't understand, but after some other attempts, we got it… Nao=Nairobi. We decided to go with him. We entered the Matatu (which is much less roomy that an actual bus) and decided to take the back seats. It was a challenge just to get there, since we were carrying backpacks and we are not the most tiny person around this area…

Two hundred shillings and 45min later we were at Nao, ready for this adventure on metropolitan streets. As incredible as it seems, we did the first things in almost 2 hours (I know, I know.. It's hard to believe, since relying on public services such as banks and mobile shops can be really an effort…).
We wanted to eat something truly Kenyan and actually, on our quest of 'Lets find where the nearest Barclays is' , we came across 'Swahilli Delicies', and yes, the choice was made. Both of us ordered a refreshing Coke and a challenging Chicken with sauce and Ugali (corn flour).

We finished our more than deserved meal and headed to the museums on the North part of the town. But first we came across a guy that was following us for the whole morning inviting us to visit his shop - on a really narrow and dark hallway on a secondary street near the ghetto of the city.

On our journey (2-3km) to the Museum we passed by the University of Nairobi more specifically the department of Environment and Geography. The Campus was beautiful! Tall trees, gorgeous gardens full of flowers, modern architecture and the stress were clean. We also passed by some shops of art crafts from local people. One women just came running to us saying 'Friend! Come! Come to Mama's Shop and see what's inside!', 'Oh, we are actually late to go to the museum! We will be back!', 'Oh… okay. Promise?', 'Yes, we have to come through here anyway so we'll stop at your store.', 'Oh! Okay okay! Mama will be expecting you. By the way I love your hair!'. Mama was fascinated with my curls, and while we passed by her store four more men appeared from the inside of their own shops and persuaded us to go inside, and even bragged my curly hair to see if I got their attention. It work though, cause after… We'll get there!

We finally got to the Museum. A sculpture was at the entrance of the building that gave it the proper dignity. As we entered we noticed the traditional band that was giving a concert (more a show for selling out CDs.. But okay). We bought the ticket and headed to the gallery. Traditional Massaai paitings and art crafts were at the first room of the museum. on the second one there were models of the wildlife we can find in Kenya (elephant, zebra, buffalo, okapi, leopard, gorilla, lion, aardvark, pangolin, impala, etc). After more than one hour at the gallery, we deserved a cold drink. So we followed the arrows to the restaurant and ordered 'A cold Coke with lemon and no ice, please'. That was one of the most relaxing moments I had since I'm here! Facing the garden, having a refreshing drink, fresh breeze and nice conversation (me and Chelsea).

After the relaxing moment, we headed to the Snake Park! This involved lots of snakes in terrariums… Including the most dangerous species in Africa! Crocs and turtle beloved to this part of the museum and some were really scary.

Well, after the museum episode, we headed back to the Bus stop to catch the Matatu back to Rongai. But obviously we passed by Mama's Shop. This was a first! We bargained. A lot! Almost 30min after, we both had gifts for friends and family. Heading to the Bus stop, we took some minutes to buy some water and desert for the whole family.

I can not really describe how chaotic the bus stop was. Actually, that wasn't a bus stop no more! It became a meeting point for EVERY means of transport imaginable! From big buses to monocles, from mattes to tuk-tuks. Finally we were inside the Matatu heading to Rongai after wandering around the place asking 'Rongai? Rongai?'.