Another Term Break!

Is it only me, or do you also feel that there are so many school breaks in here! Now we are at the end of second term, and here is another term break! and I am trying coming up with ideas to keep my kids busy! Believe me, it is not an easy task! There are not many options out there, so choosing to live in a compound (make sure there are kids in it, and if possible a swimming pool:)) is long term solution! I think we are very lucky, because our compound is like a big open playground:) kids are running around, biking, playing hide and seek, playing games from our childhood:)

In terms of activity, there are movie theatres in every mall, couple horse riding academies and privately run swimming courses.  There are also other options, most popular one is playgroups and sleepovers. Since there are not many activities specific to kids, playgroups are most popular ones where children get together at home and moms take turns:)

I wish I can provide more info:) But one of the greatest thing living in here is, you learn to be creative and flexible:)

Work Options and Solutions

When you are an expat wife, in terms of work options possibilities are very low . The reasons are, expat wifes do not have work permits and places like Africa the unemloyment is very high. And also even though your background fits perfectly, companies have to go through this long employment process which is a huge burden from a financial point (just recently Kenyan government changed the law, and finding a job for an expat became harder than ever...). Besides, even you find a job and a company who is willing to pay and wait for you, the salary would be low (of course it depends what you compare with).

So majority of expat wives I know, do not work. And again some of them are very happy with that. I think I am on the other side of the coin! First year or more, I really tired hard to find a job. Because I always worked except first two years of my children after they were born. So my suggestion for you, if you are going to be an expat wife in Kenya and want/plan to work, start your search now! Use whatever connections you have, do not wait to move here!

I also know other expat wives who come up with other ideas such as buying clothes, accessories, home goods and products etc. from other countries and selling them online or in store. (there are many things you can bring here, because there is a fast-growing consumer population and they do not have many options). Some of them bake/cook and sell them, there are some offer private gym classes such as yoga, pilates and etc.

One of my solution was 'writing'. Also, exactly a year ago, I went back to being a student! And just recently, completed my 'Life Coach' training and became a 'Certified Life Coach' :) Honestly, I did not do it to keep myself busy, I did it for personal development and self discovery, and am planning to start my practise (have quite a few clients already:))

So I guess it depends what you want to accomplish and what your priorities are. This is where you need to be creative:) Sky is the limit:)

The term 'Conscious Uncoupling'

Does anyone read Gwyneth Paltrow's website 'Goop'? Even though I am not one of the regular ones, I do check it once in a while. To be honest wit you, I find the detox recipe's sometimes to much of a extreme. But I love the recipe, you should definitely check. By the way, I wish I can do some form of a detox once a year or so, but I cannot. I think I like the solid food so much! Anyway, couple days ago I read the divorce news, and the term 'conscious uncoupling' where it got my attention. Than started to do my search on that, and found it very interesting and right on the point. I also learned there is also a recently formed couple theraphy on conscious uncoupling.

Article on Goop is kinda long, but I find it very useful and informative in so many ways. Just take your time and give it a taught.

http://www.goop.com/journal/be/conscious-uncoupling

Nonstop Writing!

These days, I am practising a lot with my writing. Probably hardest thing is writing in two languages where you feel the pressure of using the right grammar, spelling and punctuation.  To be honest with you, every time I post a new blog, next day I go back and find my mistakes!!

 Today I have been reading a lot about tips, dos and don'ts on blogging. And I believe there are no perfect answers.  I just read 'The goal is to get your writing to sound more like you and less like a lofty essay'. This is what I am trying to accomplish with my blog, something personal, informational and if possible funny.

On the other hand, I have a hard time with my Turkish blog. I cannot come up with subjects, or I may be thinking too much what Turkish readers would be interested to read about. So I guess I need lots of practise!

Has anyone heard the term 'creative writing'? When I searched on internet ther are many classes, articles, online trainings. I wish I was able to take one of these in-class lessons. It is definitely in my 'to do' list once we move to another country:)  Have I mentioned, I have started writing a book? It took few months to sit in front of the computer. For some reason, I could not sit in front of the computer...Now it is progressing, but very slowly though...If I every get to finish it, hoping to publish it in Turkey.

Family Fun Day at the School

Past decade,  students school life has changed so much in terms of education, physical activities, musical instrument lessons, social activities, site trips and much more.  Now schools especially the private ones, offer broad range of activities on campus throughout the academic year. From this point of view, I think social activities are biggest missing item in students life in Nairobi. Both of my children attended two different international schools, and there were not many opportunities where parents can meet and do some fun things with children together during the academic year. This also cause lack of communication between parents as well as school management.

Last weekend, thanks to new 'parent association' we had 'Family Fun Day'. This was what everyone has been waiting for including us! There were so many activities, food, drinks and games for children as well as for parents. Children were able to play and have fun at the school playground. They also sold tickets to their family members and friends, it definitely created an ownership and made them feel very proud, including my children.

Is Nairobi the most expensive city in Africa?

Ok, at least I am not alone anymore! Since we moved to Nairobi, comparing with quality of life, I find the city very expensive, worst thing is prices of essential commodities such as milk, bread, rent, utilities keep increasing nonstop. I wish I took some notes when we moved here. Whenever I go to Nakumatt, I always find one the item`s price increased by 10-20 KShillings. It may not sound much, but when you add it up it is surprisingly high enough to get your attention. It is also one of the subject most talked about among expat community.

Today while I was doing some reading on the internet I came across recent survey, done by The Economist Intelligence Unit. If you have few minutes to read, please check it out.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000106264/nairobi-emerges-as-africa-s-most-expensive-city

Shopping at Masai Market

Masai Market was the first thing I heard when I asked about local shopping in here. After 2 years and visiting so many times, I find it still fun, interesting and purely local. It is in my 'to do list" when I have guests, and each visit, surprisingly enough I discover new items. Masai Market is an open air market that attracts both locals and tourists alike. With over 100  registered vendors, they are very creative, always come up with new ideas.  It is a true festival, perfect opportunity for enthusiastic shoppers to buy some of the rich collection of African arts and crafts at very reasonable low prices. Another greatest thing about Masai Market is they visit different locations throughout the week in the city.

I sometimes feel so overwhelmed by colourful kikoys, necklaces, earrings and bags. I also love the sellers, how they bargain endlessly, with a smiling and friendly face. You can buy all your gifts in one place but be prepared for serious bargaining.

The market typically runs from 8am to 6pm.

Here is the schedule:

Tuesday	Off Kijabe Street, near Text Book Centre
	WestGate Shopping Mall, Westlands.----Cancelled
Wednesday	Capital Centre, Mombasa Road.
Thursday	The Junction, 3rd floor parking
Friday	Village Market, Limuru Road.
Saturday	Law Courts Parking, City Centre.
	Adam's Arcade, Ngong Rd
Sunday	Law Courts Parking, City Centre.
	Safari Park Hotel, Thika Road.
	Yaya Centre, Argwings Kodhek Road.
	Adam's Arcade, Ngong Rd

Weekend Trip to Mt Kenya and Fairmont Safari Club

My mom came for a visit last week. She also came last year and but she had this horrible flu with her so she stayed in bed whole stay!!! Anyways, so this time I have been trying to show her as much as I can! Mount Kenya was on top my list.

We went there with our kids last year as well and decided we should definitely go back! So we did:)
In both trips we stayed at Fairmont Safari Club. What a place! The service, food, rooms, amazing animal orphanage, tea time, breakfast, local shows, live music, everything is top quality. I cannot say enough. It sounds like an advertising, I know:) but there are not many places that memories stay with me...

By car, from Nairobi to Mt. Kenya it takes 3-4hrs depending on the day and time you travel. We left home on Friday at 6:30am and spent 1.5hrs on Ngong Road, thanks to road constructions! But good news returning trip was only 3hrs drive. Since we live on the other side of Nairobi, Karen, the trip takes little longer. Roads are not bad, especially after living Nairobi borders, it is pretty nice. The only thing you must be careful if you choose to drive is right after Nyari, because there are huge pot wholes! When you drive you feel like you are on a computer game, and last year obviously we lost the game because we had a flat tire right before we arrived to Fairmont! In second trip we were highly experienced:) besides the pot wholes driving is very nice, you get to see real Kenya which is very amazing and impressive.

There are many hotels in the area but I highly recommend Fairmont with its great service, staff and location. Guests are welcome by smiling local staff with warm towels ready. Hotel manager also greets you personally at the dinner. Fairmont Safari Club has also its own wild animal orphanage where you can feed 150yrs old turtle, monkeys, impalas, ostrich, and so much more. Tea served in the afternoon with petite cakes and sandwiches in bar and lawn area. Breakfast and lunch served open buffet style and menu changes daily. Dinner menu changes daily as well (hotel is all inclusive, except drinks and alcohol) and you get to dine in candlelight with a huge fireplace at the back. There are different types of rooms. We stayed at suite and garden room. Both were very spacious, tastefully furnished. Turndown service is nicely done, each room has a fireplace and throughout the year because of high altitude it gets chilly, so fireplace is lit at night. And how can I not mention! you get to sleep with warm water bags in your bed:)

Other amazing thing about Fairmont is, it is on the equator, and you can even test and see it with your own eyes, for testing northern and southern hemisphere bowls with water ready for you on the lawn! Kids loved it!

There are few National Parks in the surrounding area, the one we went and highly popular is Sweetwater Game Reserve which covers approx. 90,000 hectares. You can see big five if you get lucky. We were able to see all except lion and cheetah. But believe me our ranger tried so hard, we even got stuck in the mud!!! Sweetwater also has its own Chimpanzee sanctuary which is a must see. It was so amazing to be able to see them this close. We have been told all the chimpanzees are orphans and there are currently 39 of them and each has its own name and unique character:)

I wish we climbed to Mt. Kenya, unfortunately because of my youngest child we could not. So I still want to go back and do the hiking trip! But not so soon though:)

Best time to visit Mt. Kenya is between December and April. Rainy season usually starts mid April and it gets really cold starting May through September. We were very lucky, because Friday was very chilly and rainy (which is very unusual for March but these days weather in here is very unpredictable:)) Saturday and Sunday we had a clear sky with sunshine, and Mt. Kenya was looking at us with its impressive aura. By the way all the rooms face Mt. Kenya so you wake up with an amazing view.

Sorry my blog is kinda long, but so much to cover. So hope you find it interesting and fun to read:)

Friday Night at Brew Bistro and Lounge

Brew Bistro and Lounge one of the popular spots in Nairobi. The bistro is famous with its own beer, where you get to taste different kinds.  We dined at Brew Bistro few months back. By that time dinning room and lounge area was separate, and you were able to have a quite candle light dinner. However, when we went there last Friday night, it was a shock to see dining and lounge area kinda combined! Dining table quantity significantly dropped and tables got too close to each other! Unfortunately both areas were very very crowded and a bit noisy for me.

There is a security check at the entrance by the bodyguards which is unusual. You do not get to being checked by bodyguards here in restaurants. So not sure if I should feel safe or not...

When I dine and pay a good amount of money I would like to take it easy and have a quite dinner. Unfortunately the music was very hip not a fine dining restaurant type! And it is little bit too crowded, people had to get in line to be able to use restrooms!

Brew Bistro is highly popular among wealthy young Kenyans as well as expat community. I think this is one of the reason why it is so crowded!

Menu has also changed, there are more options now, but I still recommend either the burger or the meat. Since Brew Bistro is one the few places offer Angus beef. Service was not bad, since slow service is one of the bothering thing in here. There were plenty of waitresses and they were very attentive. Food was very good. They have an extensive wine and alcohol menu ranging from reasonable to expensive prices so you have plenty of choice there.

And by the way, reservation is definitely recommended for Friday and Saturday nights. Little bit of a tip 'Eatout Kenya' offers online reservation.