It Takes Courage to Travel
I need to find the person who said this rubbish so I can give him/her uppercut.
Mo mo oun oju mi ti ri (I know what my eyes have seen);
Mo mo oun eti mi ti gbo (I know what my ears have heard).
First of all, this newsletter is a mix of different things.
Happiness, anger, irritation, comfort, joy, and everything in between.
If you follow my Medium posts, you may recall one in which I said I was mentally planning a vacation even though I wasn’t sure where the place would be.
I was tired, and it started to show in the things I did; the quality of my work began to drop, my relationship was almost hitting the rocks, and even I couldn't save myself.
One thing I've realized in my 26 years of existence is that taking breaks isn't a luxury but a necessity. Life has a way of pulling us in countless directions, demanding our time, energy, and attention. We often push ourselves to the brink, thinking that rest is a sign of weakness or an indulgence we can't afford. But the truth is, without taking time to recharge, we risk burning out and losing sight of what truly matters.
And I was burning out. If they poured kerosene on me, nothing would spark.
That was how I took to Instagram and TikTok in search of “affordable countries to visit,” and the results shocked me. Tell me why I was seeing Thailand, Lebanon, South Africa, Asia, etc. on my timeline. Is it that the algorithm is broken, or what?
I said okay oh, maybe I didn't search well. I changed the keywords to “affordable countries in Africa to visit on “ budget.” Even with the results I saw, I was dumbfounded.
That's why I'm looking for the Idi-Iroko Shakespeare, who said it takes courage to travel so I can knack him/her 2by2 plywood.
Anyway, after the back and forth, multiple peeps into my account balance, and coming to terms with the fact that there's a high chance of starvation after this decision, I settled for Kenya.
I've heard a lot about the country and even saw people's vacation recap; I felt it would be a nice place to unwind and get my thoughts together.
Now, here comes the part I detest most when it comes to traveling: planning.
I decided to travel in April but didn't make any serious plans until two weeks before my intended trip. One would say the smart thing to do is to outsource it to travel planners, Trip Advisor, etc. But who needs all that when you have a boyfriend? (rolls eyes in Sola Sobowale fashion).
My sweet boyfriend wore his planner hat and took time to research places I could visit, Airbnbs, what to wear, and a lot more.
I was like ahn ahn, eminikan tan?
While he was busy with that, I was knee-deep at work because I didn't want anything to hinder my break. It was important that I set up processes to keep my job rolling while I was away, and I'm glad that happened.
A month before the trip, I applied for a Kenya ETA, which cost $35 and took 3 days. (More details about the cost of the trip are on my YouTube channel.)
Since this was a solo trip, I bought a door lock for security and travel cubes for packing my clothes.
I need to mention that this was my second solo trip, and I absolutely enjoyed it. Although there were areas where having a travel partner could have made it better, it felt good doing this by myself.
When you travel alone, you have the ultimate freedom to create your own itinerary. You can wake up when you want, visit places that interest you, and change plans on a whim (which I did a lot). There’s no need to compromise or cater to someone else’s preferences. This level of flexibility allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience and truly enjoy each moment.
I had 5-6 locations to explore, and while that happened, it didn't come cheap.
One Week to Go
Before I left, I remember calling Lydia (God bless her heart) to discuss places I could visit, what they would cost, and how to navigate the city. She told me straight up that Nairobi was expensive. The food, cost of living, etc., were up.
I should have known when I first saw a return flight at $1,300. How much am I making? (in Speed Darlington's voice). See why I need to arrest “Mr. Courage-is-all-you-need”?
Emi laye mi, I quickly changed plans and redirected my flight to Mombasa first; that cost me $750. See how wisdom works in mysterious ways?
I booked my flight on Kenya Airways, got accommodation in Mombasa & Nairobi on Airbnb, and decided to figure out food when I got to Kenya.
A foolish mistake.
Mombasa
If you are looking for a modernized version of Abeokuta or Ilorin, Mombasa is the place. Quiet, slow-paced, warm people and hot sun were the packages this place welcomed me into.
On my first day here, I got knocked out. My body needed rest, and it got what it needed, except good food.
You see, in this life, you can't have it all in some scenarios. One thing I forgot to check out was the type of food available here. Well, the options may have been palatable to the indigenous people, but they didn't work for me.
Did I mention that they don't add enough spice (pepper) to their meals?
I had to settle for KFC, smoothies, yogurt, and the city's version of Chinese rice.
When I gained enough strength, I put on my adventure hat and went into the city.
I had 3 locations on my to-see list: Fort Jesus, Old Town & Nyali Beach.
While there isn't much to see in Mombasa, the old city gave me the respite I sought.
Fort Jesus brought with it ancient stories about war and the slave trade in Africa. The museum housed within the fort was filled with relics, from ancient weaponry to maps charting the routes of explorers and traders. It was a somber reminder of the Fort's role in a turbulent history.
Another thing I truly love about trips like this is the people I get to meet.
I made a friend at Fort Jesus, and she made my trip to Mombasa worthwhile.
Leaving Fort Jesus, I made my way to Old Town. The narrow, winding streets were lined with historic buildings, their architectural beauty a blend of African, Arabic, and European influences. The aroma of spices wafted through the air, inviting me to explore the local markets, but I was on a budget, and I couldn't use my legs to walk to Nairobi.
Each turn seemed to reveal another hidden gem, whether it was a quaint café, a shop selling handmade crafts, or a friendly local eager to share stories about the city's rich cultural heritage.
The next day, I headed towards Nyali Beach.
After the historical immersion, Nyali Beach offered a refreshing change of pace. The pristine white sand and clear blue waters were inviting; I couldn't resist the urge to dip my toes in the ocean. The beach was lively, with families and tourists enjoying the sun and the sea.
Of course, my new “bestie” tagged along.
As the day turned into evening, I watched the sky change colors in a spectacular sunset. I found a quiet spot and sat briefly, taking it all in. The sound of the waves was soothing, and I felt a deep sense of contentment.
What a way to end my time in this majestic city.
In retrospect, Mombasa offered more than I had anticipated. It gave me an experience, a journey through time and culture that left a lasting impression.
Beyond that, the ambiance welcomed me back to myself. In the still of the night, I could hear my thoughts clearly. That was exactly what my soul needed, and I'm glad I got it.
Nairobi
Part 2 coming soon