From Karunugu to Nakuru

Angela and I got a ride to Kissi (two hours of terrible roads) and then we took a matatu to Nakuru. Matatus are one form of Kenyan’s public transportation. They are 14 passenger vans that travel all over the place. Longer trips will only have 14 passengers but anything under an hour is an opportunity to play “see how many people you can fit in the matatu.” It was a good experience to share with someone else for the first time. As soon as the ticket sellers spotted us walking toward them they rushed to ask where we are headed. There are various matatu companies so it is a race to get our attention. Like everything else you buy or spend money on, it is important to find out the cost from a local to avoid being overcharged. Angela and I did just this but managed to be charged double what our fellow passengers paid. Although it is frustrating we had to remind ourselves that we are two mzungu girls and it was probably more important to not make anyone mad by asking a fair price.

Nakuru is the fourth largest city in Kenya. We spent some time in the bigger and cleaner market there before heading to our ultimate destination. Angela and I both laughed thinking about telling our mothers that this place was “clean.” Nakuru has a completely different climate than Karungu. It is hot during they day but chilly at night, reaching 50* F! It was nice to bundle up at night and sleep under some blankets.

We stayed at a boys and girls home right outside of the city, known as the Nakuru Boys and Girls Home… it is associated with a local congregation run by two Italian priests. The girls come from abusive situations and stay from two months to one year. The abuser is more likely than not an immediate family member, who will get a slap on the wrist for beating/raping their sister/daughter. The boys come from living on the streets and usually stay for one year before finding a more permanent situation with a relative or foster family. The youngest boys are brothers and arrived after two months on the streets when they were seven and nine years old. They have been there for a little over one year now. The organization was able to find their mother but she said that she was starting a new life that didn’t include her boys. So she just left them. ???

Another day Angela and I hopped on a matatu and made the “two-hour” trip to Nairobi. If you actually have to be somewhere at a specific time then matatus are not the way to travel, unless you give yourself a day leeway. Anyhow, we went to a shopping center and the Massai Market. Both were a little overwhelming at first for very different reasons. The shopping center had stores, cafes, and Christmas decorations and the market had eager locals fighting for your attention in anticipation of an overpriced sale.

It was a fun little trip and I was able to experience another area of Kenya’s traditional culture. After being gone I have realized Karungu is starting to feel a little bit more like home.