Shopping in Nairobi

So far since we've arrived in Kijabe shopping has been done at the dukas about a 15 minute walk down the hill. There are certain things (like meat) that should not be bought there and the selection is limited. So yesterday was the bi-monthly shopping trip to Nairobi. First stop - ATM machine. Punch in 30,000! That's right 30,000 Kenyan shillings.

First store - Nakumatt Village Market inside a lovely shopping mall. Vic found a book store which you know made him happy. This village market was a lot like a super Walmart or a Target. Fortunately our host, Nancy Peifer, was shopping too and helped me know what choices were good. The stress level was high having no idea if we'd gotten enough money at the ATM. We spent 13,204 shillings - all on food except for an ironing board and small wall clock.

Second store - Zucchini Green Grocers which had mostly fruits and vegetables. Guess I'll evetually learn which to buy from the vegetable ladies here in Kijabe and which to by in town (the way everyone here refers to Nairobi). Spent 958.10 shillings.

Third store - Gilani Butchery. Chose 4 lbs. ground beef, stew beef, and four chicken breasts. I must say it all looks great. Cost - 1834.50 shillings.

Total - 15,996 shillings, equivalent to over $200. Food is expensive here. The sad thing is that very few Africans can shop in the stores where we did.

Arrive home, put food away - WRONG! All fresh fruits and vegetables need to be soaked in a bleach solution for twenty minutes. I did it gladly as I thought about the thousands of Africans nearby who only ate beans and ugali (cornmeal mush) yesterday.