I love Mombasa

Our week in Mombasa was a mix of lectures, site visits, and shopping. It was a nice way to ease back into reality after our time in Shirazi.

Mombasa is a great city; I really prefer it to Nairobi. We stayed in Old Town, and it really seems a lot safer than Nairobi. We felt comfortably walking around, even after dark. The transportation is also preferable to Nairobi. Instead of relying on uncomfortable matatus, we were able to use took-tooks. They were so much fun and inexpensive! The drivers tried to rip us off but were conversational and pleasant for the most part.

Our meals in Mombasa were also incredible. We ate at an Indian restaurant for lunch one day and were blown away by the spices. I mistook some peppers for green beans and realized my mistake at the first nibble. I enjoyed the rest of lunch despite the fact that I looked like I was crying through the rest of it. Live and learn. 

We were also treated to a couple of traditional Swahili feasts at the home of our Academic Director and also at the home of his uncle. The dishes at these meals were exotic and sweet. Coconut covered sweet potatoes, fragrant chicken, flavorful samosas, and syrupy doughnuts were the crowd favorites, and I hope to get back to Mombasa to test more of the great food before I leave Kenya. Haley and Mom, are you up for it?

At the end of our week in Mombasa, we boarded the Coast Bus once again and drove through the night back to Nairobi. And now here I am, sitting at the SIT office. Since our return, we've been pretty busy with assignments, lectures, and independent project preparations. I've managed to have a little bit of fun though; I'll get back to the present with a Nairobi post soon!