The "Obama Rave"

Obama fever hit the country yesterday in true Kenyan style with the loudest celebrations ever - people everywhere were shouting and screaming with joy when my cab came to collect me for work at 7.30. I have to say that i bet that Nairobi hasn't seen so many happy people on the street in a long time. Its all beyond words really - its just fantastic. In Mombasa they are apparently re-naming a street - Barack Obama Avenue, and they are putting in electricity to his grandmother's place for when he comes to visit.
Today most people are on holiday celebrating but unfortunately that does not include me and loads of others here on the UN campus. I am just off now to Mombasa to train Barclays Bank staff who want to volunteer with street children and need to know how they go about it all etc.
I have been presenting my work and ideas on social care to quite a few people and to the government team, but the amusing thing for me, and somewhat distracting, is their surprise and happiness when they find out that i am Kenyan. I am now getting used to being the Obama in the team and that feeling of being reclaimed is a good one! I never thought that i would say this but i quite like Nairobi, i guess its the variety, and the extremes - nothing is hidden here and it does take time to get used to 'everything being in your face' but this is true Africa, where everything is bright and obvious whether we like it or not. I am really enjoying learning about the different tribes and their customs and i'm trying to find out how these impact on parents and their expectations etc.

Off to buy that newspaper that i will be keeping for ever - someone save me todays guardian!!

ps. When i arrived in Mombasa this afternoon i was taken to a very famous restaurant called Tamarind - guess what? They've made a new cocktail to celebrate the US election result, it's called the "Obama Rave" and consists of - Southern Comfort, Malibu, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine syrup and angostura bitters. Not sure in what measures but it was good stuff!