Posted on 06/20/2006 10:04:53 AM PDT by hindsfeetnhighplaces
We are going with a group of ministers who work here in the U.S. to raise funds to build churches and equip ministers in Nairobi, Kenya. Then they go over there for several weeks on a preaching tour.
My husband and I would be brining our two sons ages 5 and 7. We would be staying with families of the churches and not in hotels. We would not be going there as "tourists" but to work. Although I am sure we will do a little site seeing as well.
I have never traveled anywhere except for a few places in the U.S.
What is it like in Nairobi? The culture? The people? The food?
Do you know of any good sites on the web that I can visit with accurate information about the area?
Has anyone traveled to Nairobi?
Call Brad and Angelena
Hire bodyguards.
NO thanks. I would rather have answers from real people not the plastic,papmered,leftist hollywood types.
that should read pampered.
Good luck.
That's comforting lol. Actually, I know that if God is sending us then He will protect us too.
We intend to look into this fully before we go. That said, if God says to go then we will go.
Kenya. Namibia. Different countries. You could look it up.
1)Consult a physician who specializes in tropical/infectious diseases.There are many,many diseases that one can contract in East Africa...many of them fatal. Most of them are completely unknown to the typical US physician,so it must be an expert in "travel medicine" that you consult.Follow his/her advice to the letter,including advice about immunizations,malaria prophylaxis and what not to eat/drink.
2)Assuming that the folks you'll be staying with know the area well (that is,they've been there for a good while) follow their advice regarding safety issues to the letter.Remember that,among other things,the average woman's pocketbook costs the equivalent of nine months wages there.
3)Make sure you register at the nearest US Embassy/Consulate and stay in *constant* contact with them regarding safety issues and other matters.
Although my post might sound ominous to you,I assure you that it is possible to have a great time in that part of the world.The game parks are,IMO,among the most impressive places that I can imagine existing on earth.The dark tone of my post is because I had health and safety problems while in Tanzania.
This Travel Warning is being issued to remind American citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to Kenya at this time due to ongoing safety and security concerns. This supersedes the Travel Warning of July 1, 2005.
The Department recommends that private American citizens in Kenya evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing terrorist threats and the limited ability of the Kenyan authorities to detect and deter such acts. The U.S. Government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats in Kenya and elsewhere in eastern Africa aimed at U.S. and Western interests. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places including tourist sites and locations where Westerners are known to congregate, as well as commercial operations associated with U.S. or other Western interests.
American citizens in Kenya should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, Western-oriented shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. Americans should also remain vigilant in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds. In particular, there is a continuing threat against Westerners in the capital, Nairobi, and some locales in the coastal region. In addition to the terrorist threat, there are increasing incidents of criminal activity, including carjacking, robbery, and other violent crime, especially after dark.
Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to register through the State Departments travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254)(20)363-6000; fax (254)(20)363-6410. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254)(20)363-6170. The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov. U.S. citizens should consult the Department of States Consular Information Sheet for Kenya, the East Africa Public Announcement, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or 202-501-4444 from overseas.
Good luck.
Watched him when I was kid too. The Nairobi Trio skits were pointless but always cracked me up for some reason and have always stuck in my memory. Guess that was the genius of Kovaks.
If,by chance,you're entitled to citizenship in another country (a surprising number of native born Americans are) you might want to travel on that country's passport for security reasons.
You'd be surprised how many Americans travel on foreign passports for just that reason.
If,by chance,you want more info on this,freep-mail me.I have some experience in this particular subject.
Thanks. That was very......ummm......helpful? LOL
Addictive, even. Careful with overexposure, or you won't be able to stop.
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