A very Nairobi Christmas

Not sure what was waiting under all your trees this morning, but the Kenyan police's gift to Nairobi this Christmas was the Breathalyzer. There are now 10 of them lurking around the city to try to curb drunk driving, which is a big problem here. In L.A., drunk driving is an open secret. In Nairobi it's just out in the open -- Kenyans like to say, "My car knows the way home."

 

With the breathalyzers on the streets for the holidays, mzungus (foreigners) are leaving their cars at home and taking taxis to and from parties. Kenyans, on the other hand, seem to be defiantly drinking and driving just as much as they did before. One taxi driver told a friend of mine he'd just carry more bribe money with him. At one bar I went to this week, a band encouraged drivers to drink as much as they could.

 

Despite all this -- and despite being a long way from home -- it was a nice Christmas here. A couple of parties, some good food, lots of wine and great weather, so no complaints. I hope you guys all had great Christmases. Tomorrow I'm off to Istanbul for New Year's, so I can't promise updates, but I'll try.