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From talking to other travelers from all over the world we have
accumulated a few travel tips that might
make your life easier at some point or another. These tips will
of course help you whether you are coming to Kenya or hopping
around the rest of the globe. Another good source for
current information on travel, including updates on flight
security regulations, is
Travel Sense.
What to Wear
On airplanes we have always found that there should be a good
mix between what is comfortable and what looks good. It might be
the most comfortable thing in the world to wear just some old
ripped t-shirt and sweat pants but also realize that you get
treated the you look. We find that while a coat and tie might
not be the most relaxing you do get a bit more respect and the
chance to be upgraded (they are looking for people who are
dressed nicely). Also, you loosen the tie and take off the coat
in the plane and then you are just wearing slacks (much better
than jeans for long plane flights) and a shirt.
As for Africa we know the temptation is to go out and get as
much "safari" gear as Banana Republic can make but resist it.
The best things are the most versatile things. Again t-shirts
might seem like a good choice but in actual fact they are too
light and can't really be worn out in a pinch. Collared shirts
are the best. They protect your neck from the sun, look better
overall and can be worn into "nicer" areas. For Africa at least
we would suggest sticking to a dark greens, khakis and less
bright colors. White might be the coolest color but it is the
first to get dirty and when packing for a long vacation the less
laundry stops the better. The one thing you should not wear is
camouflage as it is only to be worn by the Kenya military. All
sorts of greens are ok, just make sure they are solids.
Changing Money
The worst place to change money is the airport banks. They have
an agenda and that is to make as much money as possible off of
everyone walking through the doors (it is called a Monopoly).
They know they have you trapped so they take advantage of that
fact. The best place is to go to is either the ForEx Bureaus or
the central bank (in
a major) city or even the local banks in the smaller towns. They
will give you a better rate. US $100 bills dated 1996 are
difficult to exchange at all. Also look at the difference between
exchange rates for travelers checks, cash, credit cards and
different currencies. Some of the best rates you can get are
taking out a cash advance on youR credit card. After you arrive the cities have money
changers with good rates which can be arranged by our office and
the Guide
The Zip Lock Bag Trick
Not much of a trick just fold all your clothes before you travel
and put them in the large zip lock bags making sure to press out
all the excess air before closing. At first this might seem
silly but it allows you to look through all your stuff without
really disturbing anything. It keeps everything neatly folded
until you need it. The bags also keep them dry in case of
spillage and packing and unpacking is an ease. You just fling
everything into and out of shelves never having to fold things
again. It also keeps the dirty (back in its own bag) separate
from the clean.
Mileage
If you have not already signed up with one airline carrier or
another to collect your mileage you are throwing money out the
window. Upgrades and free flights come after saving up and you
will be surprised by how much you accumulate flying from here to
there and back. They sometimes offer 'buy one get one free' for
so many miles which makes flying with a companion that much
easier. Just make sure to check in with your card handy and to
keep all old tickets in case they 'forget' to credit you. Some
credit cards offer one or more miles for every dollar spent.
most frequently
swahili words used in Kenya & Tanzania
-
Hello - Jambo! (say it
loud, say it proud)
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How are you? - Habari?
(sometimes said as a greeting as well 'What's the news?')
-
Where is the bathroom? -
Iko wapi choo? (where = wapi)
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OK/fine - Sawa sawa
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Yes - Ndiyo (try to skip
the 'N', don't put a lot of effort into it)
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No - Hapana (use this
often)
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Good - Mzuri (To say
'very good' you add 'sana' and get 'mzuri sana')
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Bad - Mbaya - (again,
'very bad' would be 'mbaya sana')
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Please - Tafadali
(Although you will hear this very rarely by locals)
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Thank you (very much) -
Asante (sana) (the 'e' is the stressed and sounds like 'eh?'
-
Not Yet - Bado (what you
will here when your room is not ready)
More
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Big / Small - Kubwa /
Kidogo
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Water - Maji (see, we
told you it could save your life!)
-
Ice - Barafu (very
useful and sometimes hard to find)
-
Hot - Moto (this is
physical heat not chemical. 'Kali' is for hot food)
-
Cold - Baridi ('Nataka
beera baridi sana' - ' I want a cold beer')
Food
-
Tea - Chai (served
everyday at 4pm. 'Chai' also means a bribe but don't bribe
anyone with tea.)
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Coffee - Kahawa
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Milk - Maziwa
-
Meat - Nyama ('Nyama
choma' is cooked meat, a BBQ if you will and goat meat at
that.)
-
Beer - Bia (beera) or
pombe (Try the local beer, Tusker)
Animals
-
Lion - Simba
-
Buffalo - Nyati
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Elephant - Tembo
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Rhino - Kifaro (or just
'faro')
-
Leopard - Chui
(pronounced 'chew-ee')
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Giraffe - Twiga
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Hippo - Kiboko
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Antelope - Swala
-
Bird - Ndegi - Bird
(also airplane)
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Cheetah - Ndoa Ndoa,
Duma
-
Bug - Dudu ("dudu kufa"
would be "dead bug")
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