Scratch the map

I do love maps. All sorts (as evident here). And this one is pretty cool: using a coin you scratch off the the places you've been to reveal bright colours underneath. Fun fun.

{Available here via here}

Hot and steamy Nairobi

 There is something magical about arriving in a city for the first time (it's kind of like that first kiss - it can never happen again). Your eyes are as open as your mind and everything seems new and fascinating - from billboards to pedestrians, from sidewalk shops to sprawling estates . I experienced this yesterday when I arrived in hot and steamy Nairobi and found the late afternoon traffic jams interesting. I went with a colleague on a site visit to a new mall development where I took the pics below. What would normally be a mundane and dusty experience in a building site was quite intriguing. After that we when to the home of an expat friend in the suburb of Karen. It was quite strange to see dirt roads lined with golf resort type mansions. Once inside one such home we were treated to drinks on the veranda, a home-cooked meal and a family welcome. What a great introduction to a new city.

Out of Africa

Or should I say Into Africa. I am flying to Nairobi today for work and am bursting with excitement. It is my first visit to Kenya and while there will be no safaris involved I am sure the buzz of the city will keep me very busy. Next post from downtown Nairobi. Woop!

Weekend time

We are off to the airport just now and flying down to George to see the husband's family. I am excited about (finally) going on the Gautrain and long walks on the beach bundled up against the winter chill.

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NY nostalgia

That feeling that makes you want to jump up and touch the sky (or the overhead construction walkway), that feeling that brings out the rock star (or karaoke star) in you in front of a crowd of strangers as you belt out a tune from your heart, that feeling that makes you want to stay a wake forever (or at least until the sun rises down the streets of the city at the moment when dreams come alive).... This clip brought back all those feelings. And it's a pretty awesome ad too!

Mood of the moment

Computer scientists generate the pulse of the nation by analysing tweets across America. Geeky? Yes but fascinating. Interestingly, patterns of the pulse suggest that the West coast is happier than the East coast, and across the country happiness peaks each Sunday morning, with a trough on Thursday evenings. Read more about it here.

All I can say is the weekend starts tomorrow so my happiness pulse is on the rise!

The Long Day Continues

It's been a long day. And the end is only just in sight. I would much rather be there right now (imagine waking up in that glorious setting...):

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