It's so interesting sometimes, how different cultures are. Our driver and I were having an interesting conversation about living somewhere else. He moved to Nairobi from Mombasa. Life is difficult, but he just thinks the change in perspective is so important, and everyone should do it every now and again.
I've just returned from a whirlwind 'tour' of Kenya. 'Tour' makes it sound like pleasure, but it was really gruelling! I went from Nairobi to Mombasa to Malindi, back to Nairobi, then to Eldoret, then Kitale, Kisumu, Kiisii back to Kisumu and finally back to Nairobi again. About 8 cities in eight days! Working every day - one or two company visits per day. By the end of the eight days, I couldn't remember when I had been where!
Anyway back to the issue of 'perspective'. In Kisumu we stayed at a fairly nice hotel. I switched on the TV and searched as normal for BBC and CNN. No BBC, no CNN, only Al Jazeera!
I spent the next few days watching Al Jazeera - whenever I was not at work. Interesting programming actually. Sad to say I had always linked Al Jazeera with Jihad and terrorism, but it was a lot more than that. A news channel with more of an Middle Eastern and Asian perspective. So news about the Middle East, India, Australia, and some stories from Africa. Surprisingly I recognised quite a few BBC and CNN reporters - including a BBC weatherman I think, who had defected to Al Jazeera. Interesting few days.
Another 'happening' this week reminded that I was on the other side of the world. There was a powerful earthquake in Sumatra this week. Like any other Trinidadian, I have no idea where Sumatra even is! And I actually know a fair bit of geography. Well the following day I heard that tsunami warnings in Tanzania and Kenya (where I am) had been called off! Imagine I was thinking an earthquake in Sumatra was just interesting news, when it actually could have had an impact on life where I am now.
Talk about small world.
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