In Karen, I lived directly across from the Nairobi National Park, affirming nearly all the stereotypes of living in Africa with wild animals. In the still of the night, I would hear lions growling as I headed home. Baboons ruled the roads from 11am, forcing me to zig-zag from one side of the street to the other to avoid them.
Occasionally, giraffes would venture to the edge of the park seemingly to greet me. It was exciting for the seven years I lived there and I delighted in showing off my exploits of ‘life in the wild.’ When the Galleria mall was opened, I planted myself there daily for free Wi-Fi with my coffee.
Then Lang’ata Road was expanded from two to four lanes and the Bypass was a welcomed addition. I was not the typical Karen resident as I frequently left the leafy suburbs. Many joked that they did not have a visa to go to town and preferred to stay in their quiet enclaves.
