In July 1983 Pope John Paul visited Kenya and held a historical Mass at this point marked with this pink monument.
Today this monument is well appreciated by children playing hide and seek as their parents rest on the lawns that sorround it (which are well kept).
*The monument marks where he(Pope) stood as he conducted his mass.
Location: almost directly opposite parliament buildings along uhuru highway in Nairobi.
I have never seen such numbers of primates together in one group! That was at the turn in into ‘City Park’ just off City of Nairobi.
They were coming from what looked like a frequent raid to the neighbouring fruit market for Mango seeds from fruit salad stands. Their human neighbours were least bothered but dogs were in a mission – potential meat meal. It was pure drama as ALL this took place all around me.
In a short while I get to the forest park and there I find another type of monkey(vervet monkeys) defining territory members and their youth happily getting rid of non members as the rest of the clan (children, mothers and father) Bond grooming each other.
Humans could learn a thing or two about daily bonding from these primates as massage parlors loose clients who get the same from family members.
In the open fields between the forests humans interact with sykes(monkeys) and this is not short of drama for those with children as the sykes are used to climbing on heads and shoulders either seeking better aerial views or awaiting the occasional peanut nimbles given to them by man. As for boys and middle aged children and their sykes counterparts , they have no problem playing ‘catch me’ with them.
There are also ponds with frogs and fish(?)
Which of course provides extra adventure for the young. Mothers and fathers are not left out of the fun as they remember their youth – watch this 30seconds video clip, I’m sure you’ll envy them!
The best part of this 75minute visit was that these wild monkeys still live in their environment and get on with their lives
all through the day as seen in this Raw/unedited clip of probably the 1st recording of a mating ritual of the sykes monkeys in the wild.
Interestingly, the parks parking lot is full of cars with many people seated in the cars, doors open bonding. This includes asians and africas. And as I walk out a teenage girl walks down one of the paved paths juice in hand and a monkey jumps onto her shoulder from behind which she doesn’t mind, instead she keeps walking feeding it her juice(one of those scenes you miss on camera because you’re caught up in the moment)
Every Teusday Morning ‘Nairobi Ringing Group’ gather at Nairobi Museum (approximately 1km from city centre) for bird ringing. Led by some of Africa’s finest bird ringers/ornithologists, birds are caught in special nets and tagged with special numbered rings(each unique) then released.
Which type of birds are caught? At times raptors (birds of prey) like this ‘little sparrowhawk’
Sometimes rarely seen doves like this ‘tambourine dove’
Other times birds that were thought not to exist in Nairobi like this ‘Grey Olive greenbul’
Other times the sweetest bird to handle(make sure you request to handle it)!
‘Grosbeaked weaver’
*ringing is done through the Ornithology Department starting 7:00am-9:30am teusdays only
Metal Hat used in early 1900’s in Kenya by early settlers known as ‘BAKULI’, swahili for bowl. Could easily be used as a bowl for serving food in.
Leather hats that looked like leather was stretched on a head while still wet to get the bowl shape.
Kenyan communities over the years engaged their craftsmen to create beautiful swords that represented their societal structure.
During times of war demand rises to meet needs of war. Where would Kenyas gun manufacturing be today had we supported the innovations that helped ‘mau mau’ fight for Kenyas independence.
The innovations included use of everyday items like capboard locks to fire bullets
This (freedom fighters gun used by Dedan Kimathi) and more can be seen at the independence gallery, National Museum Nairobi.
Do you require sizes, colours or matching craft items you cannot get stocked at craft outlets?
Kariokor handicraft FACTORY in Nairobi hosts 100’s of super creative african handcraft makers. Everything from belts, earrings, African bags, bracelets, shoes to necklaces. This is the Factory where most of the African handcrafts on sale at Malls, Craft Banda’s and shops in Nairobi and it’s hotels originate from. Just about 1.5 kms from Nairobi CBD northwards with ample parking and newly widened and tarmaced/paved access roads going through here. The best part is NO Middle men, so prices are as craftmakers determine best for his/her business to thrive.
Nairobi 