Nairobi Part-1:

The name Nairobi originates from the Maasai phrase "Enkare Nyrobi," which translates to "place of cool waters". This name refers to the Nairobi River that flows through the city. The city itself sprang up around a railway depot (see below) established in the late 1890s during the construction of the Uganda Railway.

We have found everyone we talk to here in Nairobi to be so kind, helpful, informative and insightful. Everyone! A lot of pride in the country but resigned to the fact that they all seem to be working below their potential. It takes on an average 3 years to find a decent job with benefits.  

The Overall Unemployment in Kenya is 5%, but youth aged 15–34 face an unemployment rate as high as 67%, while 8.4% of youth aged 15–24, are jobless.

Informal Employment: About 81% of non-agricultural jobs are informal, indicating that most employed Kenyans do not have secure, formal employment.

Galton-Fenzi Memorial:  This monument, also referred to as Point Zero, and is considered the official starting point for road distances in Kenya. It serves as a point from which distances to other major cities in Kenya are measured.

The Askari Monument: It honors African soldiers and carriers who served in World War I. Around 125,000 solders and porters died during WW-1 & 2. These soldiers, like in India, were always in the front and most died.

Ceiling fan at the Exchange bar at Stanley Hotel. It was operated by 2 humans, by pulling a rope, now a mechanical/electrical drive.

Convention Center: The tall building has 360 view at the top with restaurant, Hotel-rooms and conference rooms.

University of Nairobi: The oldest and the biggest university in eastern Africa. Neelam’s uncle taught here in 60’s. Her father also worked at the university briefly.

British Office where ID/passports were Issued. Neelam perhaps got hers here in 60s.

Bank of India: During colonial times, it was the National Assembly of Kenya.

Paint the African Savannah: We went to an Artist area, where around 30 different types of artists practice and sell their creations. We had booked 2 hr. session (on Airbnb, Experiences) on acrylic painting workshop, by Sharon. I/Santosh has never painted before, but it came out good and I enjoyed it.

Sharon shared with us some of her history and while admitting that herself chosen field won’t make her wealthy, she is happier and more fulfilled although I suspect end don’t always meet but she makes a go of it. 

Her charcoal chalk and pencil drawings were just amazing. Her roaring lion was so life size and realistic, some tourist visitors came by and kept making an offer for the pic that she didn’t accept. Too low. It took her a month to complete it. They should have kept going. I told her to make good quality prints or postcards that would sell. Here is her charcoal sketch (note, it is not a photo)

Fairmont Norfolk Hotel: Last 2 days, we stayed at the Fairmont, founded in 1904. It is very colonial and located in a tropical park-like setting with many different types of flowers. Excellent food, service and presentation.

Out of Africa Movie, 1985: Bror von Blixen-Finecke, Karen's husband, used the hotel as a base, and the hotel has long been a part of Nairobi's colonial history. The hotel has even named some of its suites after Blixen and her lover, Denys Finch Hatton, in tribute to this history. The cast and crew of the film also stayed at the hotel during production.

Most likely some indoor scenes echoing the refined colonial social life captured in the story, were shot indoors here.

I highly recommend staying at the Fairmont as well as Stanley Hotel in Nairobi, for a once in a life time experiences.