Kenya, a sensory experience

Julia Keech (left) and a friend at a giraffe petting zoo in Nairobi.

Editor’s note: Dalhousie student Julia Keech was one of eight students chosen from across Canada to participate in the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) Refugee Study Seminar in the Kakuma Refugee Camp this summer. While in Africa, Julia kept a journal detailing her experience in the refugee camp, located in the northwest region of Kenya. Here is one of her first entries, detailing the sights and sounds of Nairobi.

July 10, 2008

It’s truly amazing how alert and aware I am of all of my five senses when I am in a foreign country. Kenya has been certainly no exception to this. The smells of deep fried Maandazis (East African triangle-shaped doughnuts), car exhaust, sweet mango and hot asphalt are all a whirlwind of aromas that greet me throughout my first few days in Nairobi.

We test our bodies with the extensive variety of food joints, cafes and restaurants both local and foreign yet all offering a delectable array of tastes. The flavours are intense: the bananas are like none other I have tasted: both tangy and sweet, and I am the simply amazed at the enormous size of the perfectly ripe and luscious avocados. The stews are mouth-watering—full of a variety of lentils, spices and tender pieces of marinated beef, and I would be foolish not to mention the traditional rich, nutty Kenyan tea—a cup of it is most soothing at any time of the day!  

In the mornings, I wake up to the sounds of children’s laughter outside on the city streets and a distant radio playing an array of joyous African songs. Throughout the day we are greeted by the charming, soft-spoken Swahili accent and in the evenings I fall asleep to the chatter and chuckles of local Kenyans in the restaurant below our hotel. 

It is the touch of the hot afternoon sun on my back that has me so utterly relaxed and the soft, cool evening breeze that causes me to question my return to Canada in one month’s time.
The bright colours of African fabrics are simply stunning and they are vivid wherever I may roam here on the busy streets of Nairobi. But nothing is as striking as the beautiful, smiling faces of the Kenyan people. I have caught myself starring more times than I should be excused!

Indeed what a wonderful city this is, yet, I have only experienced the mere surface. My senses are simply getting warmed up as this is just the beginning of my journey. 

Tomorrow on Dalnews: Julia arrives at the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

The 12 participants (including Julia Keech, far right, first row) taking part in WUSC's Student Refugee Seminar assembled in Nairobi to meet with local officials from UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees), WUSC partner Windle-Trust Kenya and the Canadian High Commission before departing for Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps.