First Day in Kenya - May 20 - Syracuse University Whitman School of Management

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First Day in Kenya - May 20

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First Day in Kenya - May 20

Ryan Tsuneishi

The first day of Kenya was filled with warm welcomes and being pushed outside of our comfort zones, bartering for souvenirs from the vendors at Maasai market. Nairobi is a beautiful city sprawling with life in its lushness and its people. Whether it’s someone walking to work or a vendor bartering at their stand, the people of Kenya are clearly working hard to provide for their families.

At every stop on today’s agenda, I experienced such kindness and warmth from the people here. After we landed and got through customs, we met Rasheed (our driver/personal tour guide) who truly has the heart for guiding people to find the pockets of beauty in Kenya. Right away you could tell that Rasheed is a genuine person who cares for our safety and experience. After being pushed outside our comfort zones, testing our bartering skills at Maasai Market, we went to a local mall for a quick snack and to pick up some essentials. As Jordan, Will and I searched the mall in desperate need for Burger King, we simply could not find it. Even after asking a security guard to point us in the right direction, we wandered into a random corner getting lost again. Luckily, the same guard saw us and ran across the mall to show us where to get lunch. The Burger King even had pre-assembled crowns for us as we walked in! While I was happily satisfied with my crown and my burger, it was the kindness of the security guard to help out some college kids, who clearly didn’t know what they were doing, that left a lasting impact on me. Upon entering the Homecare Retreat Center, we were greeted with even more hospitality and kindness from Irene and the staff with delicious mango-orange smoothies.

What really made me smile today was the cultural dance and all of the laughter and excitement we had as a team. First, we watched the dancers perform, then we got to learn a dance to perform. Even though we are not the most talented dancers, everyone was able to add their own personal touch with the dance circle showing off their moves. The laughter and joy we experienced as a group was truly a highlight of today.

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