Birds, bribes and bumps!

Well, yesterday was an interesting one involving lots of newbies! I went out for the day with a friend, and as we were driving along we were hailed down by the police. Always a pleasure! Don't worry was all I was told! Hmmm… What followed was a rather long conversation in Swahili, then the police man getting into the car.....a little drive, then us pulling over, and more Swahili, before the policeman turned and asked me if I understood the language. I sat there silently, before my friend prompted me to speak hehe I just didn't know what the right thing to do was! Hehe looking back, responding to a police officer is always a good idea, and generlaly the right one no matter which situation or country! I told him that I spoke about 5 words, and was then worried that he would test me, so was desperately practicing them in my head! After a few more minutes of Swahili, there was a little money exchange, and the policeman jumped out of the car and happily waved us goodbye.....no trip to the police station as threatened, and no repercussions. So, I witnessed my first bribe….was kinda sad as well as random, though good to see how the system works!

Well, finally on our way, we headed to an ostrich farm just outside of Nairobi, where we ordered some ostrich steak. I had actual butterflies-have been looking forward to tasting it since abandoning my vegetarianism (can hardly remember what that was like btw!) Ostrich was absolutely delicious, less chicken-like than others had described, but then isn’t everything?! Was a little put off by a lil after lunch wander round the farm to then see loads of ostrich. They are massive; some of them were abut 10 feet tall. I politely declined an offer to ride one (did enjoy giggling at others riding round on them)-thought that it was a bit unfair to clamber onto one when I still had fellow ostrich in my tummy!

Instead of driving back along the main route, we went off road. It was so much fun!! I drove quite a bit of the way-my first time driving off road, and there were def a few hairy moments as we had to cross rivers and avoid boulders, but was brilliant! Loved it! My Kenyan friend got a lil offended when I excitedly exclaimed that it was my first time driving off road when I left the tyre tracks, and went across a field. “Hannah, we have been off road for the last hour!” To be completely honest, and those with experience of Kenyan roads will understand this, some of the roads in the city are mere tyre tracks, and are incredibly bumpy and boulder filled too, so it was difficult to know what the real term 'off road' meant! It was great driving a big 4x4, was my second time and I have more seriously thought of getting one, but think a small city car is better for now. I still anxiously and excitedly await getting my car (gotta love Kenyan bureaucracy….3 weeks down, how many more to go is anyone’s guess!) though my new car is about as opposite to a big 4x4 as you can get out here! The lil thing, affectionately nicknamed Vixen (she is a Vits) will NOT be going off road, I am worried enough about how she will cope maneuvering the roads and potholes of the city! Can't wait to get her though.