'So what are you actually doing in Kenya?'

I thought it was about time to actually write about what I am doing in Kenya. I am currently assigned with SNV (Dutch Development Organisation) within there renewable energy sector. The focus of my research is to look into the current processes of the renewable energy market, as a basis for further development of the private sector. Given the nature of Kenya’s private sector and the distribution of rural households the idea is the delivery of these technologies are better suited to small scale, small profit distributors rather than a government drive or development intervention. It would also encourage private entrepreneurship and help build the local economy.

I will be interviewing rural households, with or without renewable energy technologies, manufacturers, distributors, various NGOs and small enterprises whom have the potential or are currently to supplying renewable energy technologies. I am based in Nairobi, and also in for the households Eldoret area in the north ridge area. I already started to interview a few people, and it was so nerve wrecking. I was thinking that I was such a con being there! But I am getting into it, and feeling a little more confident concerning the topic.

The picture is of my desk, I sometimes use if the strict receptionist is not looking!

I love Weekends!

This has been a great weekend – I have done no work! I have really being getting to grips with the city, and shock horror I am really enjoying the new experiences, Nairobi is offering!

On Friday, I went out with dinner with a lecturer of mine, who completely ripped my research apart – constructively maybe…. Well she did have a point that if you are doing about rural households, Nairobi may not be the place to be, however there is always a blackout. She also told me to take my time, whereas my supervisors at SNV were telling me to go quickly… am confused. And she kept on saying how interesting the one aspect of my research is interesting – which it is not for me… Well, on Monday morning, at work I will revise some research plans. Anyway, the meal was very nice and the chit-chat nice, alough I felt a little out of my depth talking to all these important people…

On Saturday morning, I went bright and early to a yoga class. It is run as a project, and it was amazing. They have assistants constantly walking about adjusting you, which avoids you getting distracted. They also give you a little massage - It was so good to be in downward facing dog with someone massaging your shoulders or having your back rubbed! Ahhh so nice! Also all the teachers don’t come from good homes, so it is nice to see them doing so well. At the end of the class, we had to introduce myself to which I said ‘ my name is yseult, and I am from Manchester known for its good football team’ to which the entire class cheered. Amazing how many supports not only don’t live in Manchester but also England. At the end, people where coming up to me calling me ‘Manchester’ – new nickname.

On Saturday night, myself and my new friend Louisa, went out for a meal – in a really nice western place, called funnily enough westlands. I had a lovely spinach and ricotta lansnga with a bottle of wine, a white chocolate and passionfruit cake and ending the night with a few rum and cokes! It was so nice chatting and making bad jokes with a ‘northern gurl’ and we made lots of plans of adventure – so wait and see!

On Sunday, I made a new friend – I was in the supermarket and a expat in front of me in the queue starting asking me about what I doing. As I was so impressed with her bravery of talking to a complete stranger, that suggested we go out for coffee so we swapped email addresses.

Some pictures of Christmas

Blackburn, Lancashire December 2010

I know I am in Africa in March, but these are pictures I made at Christmas when I was walking across the local fields in my hometown of Blackburn, that I wanted to put up!

An very overdue update….

Well I officially been in Kenya for two weeks now, and after the scariness I am warming to Nairobi. It is true, you have to be careful but I am settling in. I am now researching private sector

development of renewable energy technologies, and I get to travel for the research, but more about that in a later blog!

I have moved into my new flat, which I share with two other persons, my other neighbours are the bible society. (google united bible societies and very close) It is near 3 shopping malls and a bus ride to the centre. It is a 40 min walk from work, which will keep me fit. I sort of joined the local gym, but its quite expensive so I am going to find other routes to a body of a goddess. I am thinking hiking, mountain biking, yoga and horse riding. As I am in a new place, should be a new activities to go alongside. I should also stop eating so many bananas, mangos, milo and sugary tea….

Last Friday, I finally had my first drink in Nairobi. The white wine, didn’t taste so nice, so I had a vodka Sprite at UK not Dutch prices - marvellous! I meet two nice girls there, who I be hoping to see soon. There was of course of a lot of Kenyan hookers in the bars, and the western men did seem to enjoy the attention, not really consider their role in the whole situation. Very sad as a lot of the girls we meet had hidden agendas and you really had to ask yourself what are you doing in an expat night –quite obvious really! However, a bar a bar, a dance floor is a dance floor and a drink is always a drink.

On Saturday after my individual workout (my body ached later!), I went into the central business district where I saw the Kenyan parliament (looked like a new version of Big Ben), had

a mocha milkshake at the Starbucks equilivent and then went into the market. This is where I was followed in my a man, who would not stop pestering me, and which he kept on saying ‘why you fearful’ to which my response was feck off but I just ignored him. I ended up just leaving, as it was beyond market banter and plain harassment. I then had a chicken tikka with chips at a busy Kenyan café, and then plodded home.

Pictures from my Flat

Nairobi, Feb 2011

Kenya so far….

8^th Feb, Nairobi

Well lets be honest I am quite intimidated living in Nairobi. It didn’t help that when I got on my plane I read ‘dangers and annoyances’ then ‘health problems’ in my lonely planet, with the one line of ‘it is very rare’ does not have the same effect as the word ‘but’ which means you can forget the beginning of the sentence.

I was picked up by the pre-booked taxi (one fear down) from the airport, then he drove me to the guesthouse showing me the parliament, and the hotel with an ice staking rink. Then we went to the estate to try and find the guest house – half an hour later he asked the security guards carrying Russian AK47, to which he replies – you work for SNV – what is your name?

Today, I was talking to the other intern who told me how it was – always a taxi, and when you have a gut feeling go with it, and a few other stories about carjacking etc… again the words ‘but you be ok just be sensible’ doesn’t really help.

So today, I took a trip to the bank, and I was really brave – I stood outside for a while, on my own. So brave.

So now am living in a paranoia fear, which I need to change into a confident outlook with very sensible day to day lifestyle, very soon to make this experience enjoyable in which I can take full advantage of.

Pizza, Pasta, Pizza, Pasta and Tiramisu

Bologna Feb 2011

Before I went away to Kenya, Myself and my better half went to Bologna for a few days for rest and relaxation.

The city itself is very charming, we climbed up the tower which was ove

r 100 meters in small ladders with metal patches over the holes. Half way up, I am sure I had vertigo. At the very top my camera died, so I only managed to get a few pictures!

Italian food was great treat! One day however, we did order some risotto, only to hear the sound of the microwave 'ping' before it was presented on a plate to us. So much for fine food!

However, I became sick and spent a few afternoons sleeping in the room (or lobby) and watching CNN in between. The hotel was apparently a 4 star, but seemed a bit gream with small rooms and breakfast was an extra. What was worse of all, it was full of italian pilots and air hostesses. I wanted to soak myself in a bath all day, but instead our room overlooked the office. But I do come away feeling more relax and slightly more ready for Kenya.