August 14-25, Nairobi

***updated

• I went to Nairobi to visit a close friend, and made a few other good friends while I was there. The general point, is that I met a bunch of people living into good stories. Making courageous decisions with life, career and relationships that entail some risk, but also have some real potential for greatness and beauty. One guy I met- Nick Searra… is doing something I think is both inspiring and beautiful. He’s the founder of a company that makes western styled suits out of Kenyan fabric… handmade by single mothers living who are, for the moment, residents of the largest urban slum in Africa. From this enterprise, these ladies are given a reliable salary. And the clothes is… quite nice. I’m gonna get some myself. More info here: http://www.wakuusuits.com/
• I met quite a few other expats who are living courageously- doing stuff they care about in way that’s not consistent… what I suppose I think is the default position on safe, secure, normal life is. My friends sister started her own film production company that focuses on doing good, meaningful stuff. (Incidentally, she did a piece on Wakuu suits while I was there- check it out here.) Another girl I met has devoted herself to developing teachers in impoverished communities in Kenya. It’s certainly a function of the city- it’s got the largest number of people in development and non-profits… I think anywhere outside of NYC or something, but irregardless, it’s still not exactly a relatively predictable and convenient life in an suburban America. I guess I’m just really inspired- These folks and their stories made a big impression on me.
• Nature- Elephants, ostriches, giraffes, rhinos… etc. I kind of went on a safari in the Nairobi national park. I hired a driver that works with Nick. I wanted to see the park, and he said- no problem. It was pretty incredible- just the two of us in a Toyota minivan. The park was full of all these huge Land Rovers… but we went everywhere they did. After the park- I mentioned I wanted a haircut and to take him out to lunch at a local place. So he took me to a local shop above a carwash- got a great haircut and head massage. Then a lunch at a local place the barber recommended. Had to get ugali… it’s pretty damn good with the right accoutrement.