Nairobi goings-ons

query: Why haven't I been writing more about Kenya? I've never been to Sub-Saharan Africa before, I've never lived in Nairobi before, and yet I'm writing about things that I could write about from my basement in suburban Maryland (eg, Jay-Z and The Supremes). The short answer is that almost all the incredible things that happen here occur in my office at work. But there are some good times outside the office, too, so lemme give a quick run down on those:

Yesterday I went to Kintengella Glass, a artist's workshop/glass-making studio about 45 min from where I stay at. It was fantastical in the fairy-tale sense; there were sculptures of lizards the size of a car, the path was speckled with bubbles of colored glass stones, and the buildings looked like someone had stolen the architectural plans from a community of Keebler elves.

Inside, there were about 6 Kenyan dudes making wine glasses, vases, tumblers, and other fancy glass things I don't know the names of. And wouldn't you know it...they were blasting ENTIRE Diana Ross and The Supremes albums as they ran about from one blazing furnace to the next. It was kinda really, really dope. Watching the artistry was really captivating too; there's a lot of teamwork and finesse and intensity to the process. Like, at one point someone dropped one of the pieces they were working on and everyone stopped what they were doing and ran over to try and save. I felt like I was watching an arts-and-crafts version of ER. I was also told that one of the guys there was "the only Samburu glass-blower in the world." Given that the Saburu tribe consists of about 60,000 people, or so I'm told, I believe it.

Besides being transported to a magical glass-blowing world (literally transported, actually. we had to drive for about 20 min over straight rocks through a Masai village), there have been some "interesting" cultural exchanges here as well. Unfortunately, a lot of them have revolved around money. So, the security guards at my building are funny dudes, and I like to crack jokes w/them when we see each other. But then they're like, "so when are you gonna bring me some food? I'm hungry." and i'm like, "ahhhh...maybe later?" and since then I've given them some fruit but I don't really want the relationship to be about that, u know?

One time me and security fellas were talking and this random dude came up to me and asked for money. I was like "sorry man." and then i turned to one of the guys after he left and he was like, "yea that sucks. so, when are you gonna bring me some food?" But it hasn't spoiled anything yet, and I still really like those guys.

Last time I took a taxi, I talked with the cabbie about racial profiling and economic inequality in Kenya. then he ended the conversation with, "so since you are Muzungu (white foreigner), I will overcharge you for this ride."

July 4th here was fun. I chilled with some of my Muzungu friends. Pics below.