I arrived into Nairobi at three A.M., collected my bags, and waited until eight to catch a taxi to my hostel a few minutes outside the city center. I spent the day exploring Nairobi on foot and picking up a few supplies. Nairobi seemed perfectly safe during the day but I must admit it is probably the sketchiest place I have ever been during the night. I walked into a restaurant at sun set and by the time I left darkness had engulfed the city. The streets were frighteningly empty, no pedestrians, no traffic, no parked cars, and no open establishments. I traveled about a block on foot looking for a taxi when I realized that I was about to get the raw end of some unwanted attention. Four guys were standing on the opposite street corner holding pipes, rebar, and wooden rods. The foot chase was on, for five blocks my sandals have never carried me faster. Part way down the sixth block I saw an open club down a side street, the Edge Club. The bouncers at the door smiled and waved me in off the street saying hakuna matata which as I am sure you know (from Disney's The Lion King) means no worries. Which was probably the most comforting thing anyone could have said to me at that moment, especially since they were 6' 6", 300 lbs, cradling AK-47s, and had chains to german shepherds. Being the only white person in a local dance club in downtown Nairobi, Kenya is more than just a fish out of water, maybe more like a fish out of water on the summit of Everest. Luckily, everyone was overly friendly, offering me drinks, showing me the local dance, and even called a taxi to take me home.
First thing the next morning I hopped on the overland truck for my 42 day journey south to Cape Town.
We camped another night in Arusha before beginning the long journey towards the Zanzibar islands.