You say matatu...

This week has largely been the week of the matatu. These kamikaze 14-seater mini-vans are the main public transport system in Nairobi, and I seem to have spent a large part of my waking hours sat on them. My current commute is taking nearly two hours in each direction, as I cross the city from Langata in the South West to Umoja in the East, journeying into central Nairobi and then back out the other side. Nairobi's roads are completely clogged with traffic, and spew smog and dirt over everything. The matatus approach the ever-present congestion with a wild disregard for traffic rules and common sense, and a macho camaraderie that makes the A-Team look a bit girly. The legal ones are battered, but the illegal ones are even more battered and simultaneously pimped-up with paint jobs and banging stereos. They even have names like 'Romance' and 'Mariah Carey' (really) - I went on one yesterday that had a TV.

My first week at work has generally been good - the team are lovely, although quite stretched. I'm working from home today while the electricity is down in Umoja, but in the office on Saturday for a meeting of the regional coordinators where I'll be running a SWOT and PEST brainstorm - hope it goes well!

Things I have seen outside my office this week:
- a camel
- a herd of cows
- live chickens in baskets
- sofas for sale
- pineapples
- a man shouting 'sister Rooney, sister Rooney!' at me

In domestic news, we are yet to be sent to our proper accommodation so are currently sharing with two other volunteers - Gareth and Jo - whose dry Yorkshire humour is only being dented by a lack of Yorkshire tea. We are getting used to washing everything by hand (dull) and filtering our water (always runs out when you're in a hurry), but otherwise compared to a lot of the rural placements our flat is quite luxurious, with running water, electric shower and flush toilet.

We are also starting to think about stretching our wings and exploring further afield, with a possible visit to Lake Turkana at Christmas on the cards.

We hope to have some photos for you soon, but we are being hampered by a) our concern that we might have our cameras nicked if we take them anywhere interesting and b) that we can't find a good enough internet connection to upload the images to the blog. We will try to resolve this so you can see what we're up to properly. Tuanani!