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Social Profile
Food & Drink: Kenya’s national dishes appear on most hotel menus. The country’s beef, chicken, lamb and pork are outstandingly good, as is the wide variety of tropical fruits. Local trout, Nile perch and lobster, shrimps and Mombasa oysters are included on menus in season. Indian and Middle Eastern food is available in most areas. Some game-park lodges serve game, including buffalo steaks marinated in local liqueurs and berries, often garnished with wild honey and cream. Most Kenyans eat maize, beans and maize meal. At the small ‘hotelis’, chai (tea boiled with milk and sugar) and mandazi (doughnuts) are popular. There is a wide range of restaurants in Nairobi and Mombasa, otherwise hotels in smaller towns offer restaurant service.
Locally brewed beer (Tusker and White Cap) and bottled sodas may be found throughout the country. Kenya Cane (spirit distilled from sugar cane) and Kenya Gold (a coffee liqueur) are produced in Kenya. Traditional beer made with honey (uki) and locally made spirit distilled from maize (changaa) may sometimes be found.
Nightlife: Most of the major hotels in Nairobi and the tourist resorts have dancing with live bands or discotheques each evening. There are also a few nightclubs. There is a large selection of cinemas in Nairobi which show mainly US, British and European films.
Shopping: Khanga, kitenge and kikoi cloths may be bought in markets and the Bishara Streets of Nairobi, Mombasa and the Masai market held in Nairobi city centre on Tuesdays. There is a particularly good cooperative shop in Machakos which sells kiondos, bags stained with natural dyes and with strong leather straps. Makonde wood carvings are sold throughout the country, and young Kamba and Masai men sell carvings and necklaces on the beaches of the south coast. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0830-1230 and 1400-1730.
Note: The sale of souvenirs made of wildlife skins (this includes reptiles) and shells is forbidden.
Special Events: For a complete list of special events, contact the Kenya National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of special events celebrated in Kenya in 2003:
Mar 10 Commonweath Day, nationwide. Jun Rhino Charge (charity 4x4 rally race). Jul 10 FIA World Rally Championship Safari Rally, Nairobi. Aug Kenyan Music Festival, Nairobi. Nov Mombasa Carnival (parades, floats, music, dancing, arts and crafts), Mombasa.
Social Conventions: Western European habits prevail throughout Kenya as a result of British influences in the country. Kenyans are generally very friendly. Dress is informal, and casual lightweight clothes are accepted for all but the smartest social occasions. Tipping: This is not required. Most hotels include a ten per cent service charge to the bill. If the service charge has not been included, a KSh20 tip is usual, although the amount is entirely at the visitor’s discretion.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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