I went to downtown Nairobi on Saturday, the day after I arrived. I am impressed with the movement and vitality of the city and the people. Heavy traffic, cars, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, people weaving in and out, people on the move, along the sidewalks, crossing the street whenever they want to. It is interesting to “feel” the culture at a deeper level, not just what appears on the surface, but the underlying dynamics of personal interactions, mainly. One sees it in how drivers interact on the road, each acting like he does not see anyone else, yet always being able to stop in time or swerve in time to avoid a crash. It is in how people interact on the street, as though they don’t see anyone else, unless it is a friend. But people are always friendly and helpful when you need them. Africa is a relational society – relationships trump all other factors.
Joe