Travelling tales: Mike's arrival

As Kenya Aid’s Public Officer, Mike might have been considered easy prey for the seasoned African travelers in our most recent trip to Kenya. While we did our best to scare him before departure, and while I’d like to be able to say he didn’t believe a bar of it, he did pretty well considering some of the tall tales we had to tell.

Mike is an experienced traveller with many international trips under his belt. But a trip to Africa was a new experience for him, and since every ‘arrival’ is different, we thought we’d ask him what it was like for a first timer in Shikunga.

“Mike, we met you in Nairobi, and aside from forgetting you at the airport (oops), what was your first thought when you turned up to Shikunga?”

To be honest when I first arrived at Kisumu airport I was so glad to be out of the major cities. It was funny to see that the only road to their main airport was a muddy backstreet covered in ditches as we headed straight off for our 2 hour journey in one of the local buses, a matatu. The drive was beautiful and the area was a lot more lush than I expected. My first thought is that the land here ‘should’ be able to support its people, were it not for the greed and corruption.

“We know you were a little worried about the food situation in Kenya. Was there anything else that you were concerned about?”

I’m always thinking about my stomach, to the amusement of my fellow travelers I bought almost a whole suitcase full of food, anything from tinned two fruits to protein bars. To my relief I really didn’t need any of it because the local food was quite sufficient. I was really scared about getting sick, I had conjured up pictures of mosquitoes absolutely everywhere and I was certain I was going to get Malaria. Once again I was relieved to find that I barely even saw any mosquitoes and with the amount of DEET repellant I had on, they didn’t have a chance. Although I must say the looming threat of Ebola just across the border was not the most comforting of thoughts…



“The first night in any new place is always special. What was best about your first night in the village?”

The first night was beautiful we had some sort of weird and wonderful meal in a mud hut in the middle of no where then looked at the stars that appeared brighter than anywhere I had ever seen before. Settling down in my tent I was amazed by the amount of sounds. There was so much going on even though it was all so distant in the valley. I heard drums beating and some kind of ceremony going on, strange noises I hadn’t heard before. The valley seemed alive with activity but at the same time peaceful. I don’t know if I should have but I felt perfectly safe. I’ve traveled a fair bit and that first night was the first time in a long time that I can say everything felt new and exciting.

“There certainly is a special quality to Shikunga. What did you like most about the village?”

This one’s an easy question to answer, the people. For me it was all about the people, the nature was amazing, the Mud huts the long red dirt/clay roads were great, I enjoyed riding on boda bodas but at the end of the day having young Kenyan kids running out with huge smiles on their face yelling “Howareyou” as though it were one word, was a great feeling. All the locals from young to old were extremely friendly and appreciative. We respected them and they respected the reason that we were there. I had elders in the village come up and tell me how much the medical camps meant to their people. It was a touching experience.

“It sounds like you had a great experience. It was great for all of us to see your excitement at being there, and it was a wonderful thing for us all to share. Last question though – after all our terrible tales, was there anything you experienced that you never want to see again?”

Well, I was warned not to do it but I couldn’t help myself. It’s like telling a kid not to touch wet paint. Come night time in the Kenyan wilderness, if you need to go to the drop dunnee, DO NOT shine your torch down the toilet... The whole pile is alive and moving. It’s quite disturbing when you’re about to hover over it half naked!!! Just a hint… morning time is always your best bet!!