Nairobi, Kenya: Where the Dust Tastes Like Opportunity (and Maybe a Little Bit of Exhaust)
okay, so. nairobi. i didn’t really plan to be here. touring with the band - you know how it goes - a gig fell through in, uh, somewhere else, and our manager, bless his frantic little heart, just yelled ‘nairobi!’ and here i am. 229380… that’s the number of kilometers i think we’ve driven on this leg of the tour alone. and 1800731885… i don’t even know. probably a phone number someone scribbled on a napkin somewhere. it’s all a blur of amps and questionable gas station coffee.
I just checked and the air feels…thick. Like someone’s been simmering something heavy for days. The temperature’s hovering around 20.36 Celsius, feels like it too, which is honestly a relief after some of the places we’ve been. Pressure’s at 1009, humidity’s a solid 76% - you’ll be sweating, no doubt. Ground level’s 870… whatever that means. I’m a drummer, not a meteorologist.
Honestly, the vibe here is… intense. In a good way, mostly. There’s this energy, this hustle. Everyone’s doing something. I spent a morning wandering around *Westlands, just watching people. The traffic is insane, a chaotic ballet of matatus and motorcycles. You gotta be brave to cross the street. Seriously. Someone told me that crossing at a zebra crossing is just a suggestion, not a rule.
I stumbled into this little cafe - check it out, it’s called Java House, apparently it’s a chain but this one felt legit. TripAdvisor link - and overheard some serious gossip. Apparently, there’s a new art gallery opening in Kilimani that’s supposed to be amazing. And another guy, clearly a bit tipsy, was loudly advising me to “avoid the CBD after dark, man. Just… avoid it.” Drunk advice is usually the best advice, right?
I’ve been trying to find some decent vintage clothes. Nairobi’s supposed to have a thriving scene. I checked out Toa’s Boutique on Yelp Yelp link - a little pricey, but some interesting finds. I’m hoping to score a killer African print shirt. My current tour wardrobe is… lacking. Mostly black t-shirts and ripped jeans. Not exactly blending in.
If you get bored, Mombasa and Kisumu* are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of trying to squeeze in a quick trip to Mombasa before we head… wherever we’re heading next. I’m also looking into some drumming workshops. There’s a local music school, the Nairobi Music School https://nairobi-music-school.com/, that seems pretty cool. Maybe I can pick up some new rhythms.
“Don’t trust anyone who offers you a ride in a ‘boda boda’ after midnight. Just… don’t.” - A very serious-looking woman selling mangoes.
“The best nyama choma (grilled meat) is at Carnivore. Fight me.” - A guy with a very impressive mustache.
“The traffic is a test of character. Pass or fail.” - A taxi driver who honked at me for breathing.
Honestly, Nairobi is a sensory overload. The smells, the sounds, the colors… it’s a lot. But it’s also… exhilarating. I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this. I’m definitely going to miss the street food. And the sheer, unapologetic chaos of it all. Check out some local forums for more tips Nairobi Forum.
Okay, gotta run. Soundcheck in an hour. Wish me luck. And maybe pack some earplugs.
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