James Ots ← Page 44

Reach For The Stars

Feb

3

2003

Even in the middle of Nairobi, with its dirty orange glow at night, it’s still possible to see far more stars than can been see from home. But I can’t name many of the constellations as most of them are different from those back in the northern hemisphere – or else are upside down. Then ...

Haandi Hint 4

Jan

25

2003

If you’re in Nairobi and you’re looking for a good curry house, you could do worse than look in on Haandi, in The Mall in Westlands. Their curries are very nearly as good as those from the Royal Bengal Balti in Coventry. I’d advise you to make a reservation if you’re going on Friday night ...

I’m an Alien, I’m a Legal Alien 4

Jan

20

2003

Only 26 weeks after arriving in Kenya, I now have my Alien Card, which means that for the remaining 23 weeks I don’t have to carry photocopies of my passport around with me. Now I just have to wait for my full driving licence to turn up. My interim one runs out again at the ...

Lamu V: Karabadangbaraka 3

Jan

18

2003

After I’ve spent a few lazy hours doing nothing much on the beach (mainly trying to take a photo of a yellow, green and red bird flying into a small round nest suspended from the tree), Smiley decides that the currents are now right for sailing to the Takwa ruins. As we start to sail ...

Lamu IV: Thomas Goes Fishing 1

Jan

14

2003

Just before Christmas while I was in Lamu I went on a fishing trip. This is the first part of the writeup… At half past eight in the morning I meet Smiley on the seafront, who is already there with his dhow, the ‘Uhuru’ (freedom). I climb into the boat from the stone steps in ...

Lamu III: Up On The Roof 3

Jan

10

2003

From my vantage point on the roof of the Yumbe guest house I can hear all sorts of sounds this evening. The most pervasive is the constant barrage of squeaks everywhere, which is probably the sound of bats and crickets. I can hear people talking in the houses around here, and the occasional crying child. ...

Photos from Lamu

Jan

6

2003

Out of the six rolls of colour film I shot at Lamu, I have chosen sixteen of the best pictures for you to view on the Kenya photos page.