TobyThis blip of time back in the U.S. has offered me some perspective on both Kenya and my home country, and a chance to reflect […]
Tag: africa
Lamu, Kiwayu and the Danger of Playing it Safe
For those of you who have been following recent events in Garissa, Kenya, and who were aware of the proximity of Lamu and Kiwayu Island […]
Before the Rains
*** We are at the very edge of the rainy season here in Kenya… This is what it feels like. (All photos taken yesterday at […]
Why Travel Should Be Stressful
The journey from Diani Beach (South Coast, Kenya) to Kilifi (North Coast) by public transport is long, sweaty and chaotic. (Indeed, going just about anywhere […]
Making Art
I love when people ask me, “Are you an artist?” These days, it happens often as guests and staff at the Distant Relatives Ecolodge in […]
Kilifi in Words
[“Kilifi in Pictures” coming soon!] I have been in Kilifi, Kenya now for over 3 weeks. I think some (word) snapshots are overdue… Kilifi lies […]
Embracing Syncretism
When I first encountered the concept of cultural immersion, it sounded something like this: To understand—to truly understand—another place and people, you must eat, sleep, […]
When the Power Goes Out (a poem for quiet moments)
I wrote this during one of Kenya’s (frequent, albeit brief) power outages. Though inconvenient, I find they can offer some much-needed respite from the constant […]
The Paradise Mask
Diani Beach, South Coast, Kenya, 4.3222° S “Everybody—everybody who is escaping from something ends up in Diani. Shady people, criminals, expats… everybody.” Such was the […]