December in Nairobi
By Prosper-Michael Ametu
Green and red are not only the colors that represent the Christmas holidays, but they are also among the colors that adorn the Kenyan flag alongside black and white. Africa in recent years has gradually grown in popularity as a vacation destination; some countries and cities have become tourist hotspots and vacation options. Nairobi is one of the cities in East Africa that has caught the eye of many travelers in search of a new and exciting place to spend time and explore. I spent my Christmas period in Nairobi in 2022 and I would detail some observations and exciting things that I find make it a worthy adventure.
The most important aspect of travel, especially during the holidays, is hospitality. From the airport to the hotel, to my time visiting venues in Nairobi, I received massive amounts of hospitality during my stay. For every question, I asked and help I demanded I was greeted with a polite response and a smile which made me feel at home and welcome. Beyond the hospitality, a major reason why a lot of individuals would want to visit Kenya is the richness of culture and the beautiful incorporation of the Kenyan indigenous identity into everything that was done. It is near impossible for you to visit Nairobi without inadvertently learning who Kenyans are or the values of them and the Maasai people as any inquisitive visitor will be showered stories of the indigenous members of the Kenyan community.
There are a lot of nice places to visit in Nairobi but I specifically chose to visit the Nairobi national park to see the wide array of flora and fauna in their natural habitat which felt particularly fulfilling for a lover of nature like myself. I visited the galleria mall towards the end of my stay to shop for souvenirs for my family. Choosing souvenirs tends to be a very arduous task for tourists but the colorful cloth of the Maasai people known as the Shuka makes for a perfect souvenir and I would recommend it for whoever wants to send something home. Overall, my December in Nairobi is a whirlwind of an experience and I cannot wait to do it again when I can.