Finally, I land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya! This country of beautiful people has been on my travel destination list for a decade so I’m overjoyed to be here. My reason (excuse) is the Africa Middle East Regional Microcredit Summit 2010

A few quick impressions before I get some needed sleep before tomorrow’s field visit to a slum…

I feel as though I am in the heart of Africa. South Africa has a strong European influence and often does not feel like part of the rest of the continent. I feel quite naive having been vocal about being a Pan Africanist when I have not immersed myself in the cultures of most of our African people. It clearly is not homogenous!

I was struck today by just how clean the streets are. Having gone for a walk closer to 8pm for dinner in the city centre, the hustle and bustle of pedestrians indicates that Nairobi is closer to being a 24hr city than Joburg is.

Issues of diversity are quite sensitive to me so seeing mannequins of various races was both amuzing and appreciated by me.

More from a hopefully less tired me tomorrow…