23 janvier 2006
Building collapse
Well, that was quick. Two days after my arrival I got my first breaking news story. A building in construction collapsed in downtown Nairobi killing 14 people and providing good video for tv... I wasn't ready but I didn't have time to think that I wasn't, so I went. The result here.
What is certain is that having to gather information with no internet connection, no access to the wires, no land line, no newsdesk to rely on, no phone book and no contact whatsoever what a very very good first experience.
20 janvier 2006
Good morning Africa grand opening
After 2 months of hesitation, that's it, I'm officially launching my blog. I'm writing this first post retrospectively as an introduction.
When a few months ago I told people that I had decided to settle in Nairobi, many of them told me:
- Where is that??
- Why in the world did you choose Kenya? What are you going to do there?
- Isn't it dangerous??
- Are there stories there? Will you find work?
- It's not like New York, it won't be easy to mix with the "locals", and you'll soon get bored of hanging out with the expats
- Yay!! Are you close to the beach??
It's amazing how little people in Europe and in the US know about Africa. It's amazing how little the media talk about it, and how strong preconcieved ideas remain. This blog is aimed at giving people a better idea of what Africa really is, of what doesn't work of course, but also of all the things - and there's a lot - that do work.
When I started thinking about where I could go next after two years spent in New York, I was looking for a place where there were stories to be told, a lot of opportunities and not too much competition. I had been very attracted to Africa for years, ever since I had discovered South-African Andre Brink's novels. I had only been to Africa once - in Senegal, and that was for a week in vacations. But somehow I knew I would like it, it just felt right.
A friend told me I should go to Nairobi, that it was the perfect place to start a foreign correspondant career. I thought about it for a little bit (about 3 days), and I decided to go. 3 months later I was landing at Kenyatta airport.
I was pleasantly suprised with the city in itself. It was well organized, clean, buzzing with activity (and traffic). The 
residential areas were green, neat, calm. And the weather, just perfect. It instantly reminded me of LA.
For the ones who asked me if Kenya was urbanized ;-), YES it is. There're cities in Africa you know, not only huts in the desert. People are working in banks, insurance companies, multinationals, newspapers. They don't all keep a few sheep and goats and survive on relief food (although some do, I'll talk more about that later). Nairobi also has nice movie theaters, restaurants and bars, like any other big city in the world.
For me, the transition with New York was made even easier by the fact that Kenya is extremely americanized. Much more than France, or any other country I've visited so far. This has to do with the language first. Because people in Kenya, like in most East Africa, speak English, you can find all the latest American shows and series on tv, and all the newest hip-hop songs on the radio or in the clubs.
The American "mall culture" is also very present in big cities like Nairobi and Mombasa. In the huge supermarkets you can find about everything you need, and yes, they do have the same cereals brands.
Also typically American - you need a car to go about anywhere. This was a little problem for me at the beginning because I didn't know how to drive and I didn't have my license... But I learnt fast.
One last word about the people. Of course you hear stories about robberies and car-jacking. But most Kenyans are very polite, very respectful, and eager to help you - a lot like Americans, once again. As for the cultural differences, well there are not many, and they are small. Young city people are amazingly similar all over the world. Thanks, globalisation.
Which doesn't mean that there isn't a lot to discover and to comment - hence this blog!
