Travel to Kenya

Uber to Joburg airport at 630, check-in went smoothly and they did not take away my exit row with my sling and crutch just hanging from the backpack. Four hour flight on Airlink -- again excellent performance and service.

Nairobi airport is not modern. In this day when governments spend billions on gleaming temples of aviation, it was shocking to arrive in a metal shed with concrete floors patched by metal plates, etc. However, the main thing is that it all functions smoothly and I was out at curbside in an hour, especially since I had resumed my sling and crutch for everyday use. and the staff kept whisking me to the front of the lines.

Found the Uber and was in my hotel around 4. The Jamia Central Hotel is only adequate. Right downtown actually on the second floor inside a mall of shopping stalls. Old and run down slightly, but all seems to work. Have a desk and power outlets but lots of space and it all works. Staff are polite, but not especially welcoming as in other parts of Africa, but I think Kenyans are less openly friendly.

Went for an hour walk around the block -- very busy, traffic and motorbike chaos etc. On that day, or the subsequent two, I did not see a single Westerner except at the Giraffe Centre and a few at the Museum, so I am certainly not in a touristy zone. Had a decent dinner on a terrace above the street, then to bed.Read more