I came to Nairobi first in August 1996, backpacking as a university student. My girlfriend and I took a month off and came to Kenya.
Israeli airlines were still flying directly from Israel and we landed here at 2:30am. We took a cab to an area we had learned had affordable guest houses for backpackers. We found ourselves as two couples walking with these huge backpacks naively through Tom Mboya Street. Funny enough it went very smooth.
I had read a lot before I came here and really did not know what to expect. The first people I met were a safari guide, taxi driver and the guy at the guest house we checked in. The reception and the vibe they gave when we met was so positive that from day one, my impression was so positive. And it has stayed on to date.
Gilad Millo is a musician and head of corporate affairs at Balton CP. He is famous for the song ‘Najua.’
-As told to Irvin Jalan’go
