OK, so here goes...

Alright, so after much persuasion, I've finally decided to start one of these things. I'm still trying to work my way around, so for those who will be following, I hope you can be patient. I will try my best to keep this updated every few days. Depending on the internet connection in Kenya, this could be my first and last post.

Between now and my arrival in Kenya, there is a LOT of packing to do and a long flight, so if you want to know more about where I'm going, keep reading on.

Official name in English: Republic of Kenya

Official name in Swahili: Jamhuri y Kenya

Short form: Kenya

Official languages: English and Swahili

Size: 582,646 square kilometers (comparable to Texas)

Capital: Nairobi (3-4 million inhabitants)

Population number: estimations are between 32 and 37 million

Number of tribes: 40 to 70, depending how you count!

Life expectancy: estimates vary between 46 and 55 years

Percentage of people with HIV or AIDS: 7%

AIDS deaths per year: 150,000

Read Isak Diensen's epic settler account, Out of Africa
Listen to benga, the contemporary dance music of Kenya by Shirati Jazz, Victoria Kings and Them Mushrooms
Watch Robert Redford & Meryl Streep in the big-screen version of Out of Africa  
Eat nyama choma, literally 'roasted meat' of any shape or form, but usually goat


Trademarks
Spear-bearing Maasai warriors, wiry marathon runners, strong coffee, man-eating lions, gin-soaked old colonials, Nairobbery

Surprises
Nairobi's cosmopolitan population mix and its western-style skyscrapers and suburb sprawl

Nairobbery

Maasai warriors

Lake Nakuru - yes, those are flamingos

Thanks for reading and welcome to my first blog!