US citizen Joe is something of a jetsetter, having lived in several other countries before his current year-long sojourn in Nairobi, Kenya. Some of the things he shares with us here are the pros and cons of living in Kenya, learning to speak Swahili, and the cost of living in Kenya -- beer-wise.	Joe Williams

-Where were you born?
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA.

-In which country and city are you living now?
Nairobi, Kenya

-Are you living alone or with your family?
Alone

-How long have you been living in Kenya?
One month down, eleven to go.

-What is your age?
24. And a half.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Kenya?
I'd done some work abroad in London, Macau, Tokyo, Bermuda, and Vancouver.

Wait...do those last two count?

I'd also traveled a bit on my own accord but somehow missed out on Africa and South America. This opportunity came along, and I figured I'd make it five down, two to go. I find traveling to be one of life's greatest joys. As well, traveling on someone else's dime is even better.

It wasn't so much that I said to myself, "Self, we gotta get you working in East Africa 'cause this Vegas thing is getting waaay out of hand." The position more or less found me via an alumni connection whilst I was working in London.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
A tourist visa is very easy to get obtain up arrival: $50 for up to three months. On the contrary, obtaining a work permit is much more troublesome and expensive.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
No, the firm recommended Gateway Insurance because they offer plans specially catered to expats. I was able to buy it online. It was rather affordable.

-How do you make your living in Kenya? Do you have any type of income generated?
I'm in Nairobi getting prepared for my job in southern Sudan. I like to say I'm 'massaging' the operations here. No, it's not nearly as filthy as it sounds. In the coming months I'll be choosing, purchasing, and implementing a number of computer systems in established camps and hotels in Rumbek and Juba. As I said, I wasn't really looking to move to Kenya, but since the opportunity presented itself, I couldn't pass it up. I guess the only tools I used were skills, balls, education, and an innate sense of adventure.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I don't speak much Swahili, but I discovered early on in my travels that 'beer' is pronounced analogously in nearly every language.

As are few other select words, as a matter of fact.

In actuality, the majority of people I've met here speak English almost gooder than me do. Sure, it's important to learn the language before traveling to, or even living in a foreign place, but it is by no means compulsory or crucial to survival. When in Tokyo, I interfaced energy and property management systems communicating with only my hands, unintelligible sounds, facial expressions, and Google.

What I've found to more imperative than lingual knowledge and ability, is enthusiasm, willingness, and overt desire to learn the native discourse. I am absorbing Swahili bit by bit from my new friends and peers. Don't get me wrong, being fluent is an irrefutable advantage, but knowing a little goes a long way.

In to regards to observing and respecting local customs, it is unquestionably vital. One must maintain an unconditional acceptance that certain things are different, but more importantly, that different is OK. I will not begin to carry a rungu like the Maasai who guard my house, but I will have tea at 10:00 and lunch at 1:00. Any obstinacy towards a culture or way of life is reprehensible and petulant arrogance. Anchorman Ron Burgundy said it best, when he said "the man punted Baxter."

No, wait, that's wrong; it was, "I love scotch. Scotchy scotch scotch."

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Of course I miss my family. I miss my girlfriend, the Eagles, Hooters, watching the Eagles at Hooters with my girlfriend, my electric guitar. I miss my friends, deodorant, toilet paper, and the Daily Show; though not necessarily in that order. Inasmuch, it's a craving for new experiences that drives one to move to a new nation, not the forlorn longing for those of the past.

Right now, on my days off I like to go into town, to meet people and to try new food. I've been playing a lot of guitar and working on my novel. I want to do all the safari stuff, but I must to get established professionally first.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
I want to ski and sing karaoke on every continent. That is, to ski and 'raoke independently of one another; but if possible, concurrently.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Luckily, I do not pay rent or utilities. I only pay for food, entertainment, luxuries, and vices. Sometimes those last three are all the same thing.

-What is the cost of living in Kenya?
Cost of living is tough to calculate since I don't have many costs. Let us consider what I call the BPI: Beer Pricing Index. I've found the price of living anywhere can be gauged by comparing the price of a beer and extrapolating henceforth.

Here in Nairobi a pint 90-200 shillings, (~$1.20 US to $2.75) depending upon where you party. Compare that to my former residence in Las Vegas, where a pint was about $3-4. In NYC, it's more like 5-7. According to the BPI the cost of living is comparably less than Las Vegas or NYC.

Is there anything beer can't do?

-What do you think about the locals?
They are wonderful, welcoming, and pleasant. I've found that people are people just about anywhere you go. If you treat them and their lifestyle with respect, dignity, and acceptance—and crack a few jokes while you're at it—everything's cool.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Kenya?
Having only been here a month, the scope of my perspective is fairly limited. A negative would be the five-and-a-half-day work week. Everyone here works Saturday mornings. It's not so bad since I'd been working six days/week up until now, but don't always assume everyone everywhere works Monday to Friday.

Or that Friday is Aloha shirt day.

Or that people have even seen an Aloha shirt before.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Kenya?
It is Nairobi as it was in Vegas: if you're at a bar, and you can't believe that a girl that hot is talking to and interested in you, then don't believe it.

Really though, since I've only been here a little bit, I will speak of traveling in general. Monty Python's Travel agent Sketch lampooned the western traveler, but I don't think it was necessarily an exaggeration. Although, it seems obvious to read it, you'd be surprised: always be polite and keep an open mind.

I was in Thailand this past spring, touring Phang Nga Bay. I went to the back of the boat to grab a smoke and there was a gentlemen there already enjoying one. I asked him for a light, and from where he hailed.

"Iran," he said,

"I've got a friend back home who was born in Tehran," I replied

"Really." His accent nearly turned is 'R' into an 'H.' "Where are you from?"

"The US," I responded.

After a brief moment he inquired, "Are you from Texas?"

I chuckled quietly, but audibly, quipping, "Not everyone from the States is from Texas."

He smiled, took a short drag, and asked me how I liked Thailand.

I commented on the beauty of the limestone cliffs jutting perpendicular out of the ocean.

We waxed poetic about traveling, girlfriends/wives, and snorkeling.

He spoke about how beautiful the reefs were in Oman.

I expressed the same sentiments about Hawaii.

We agreed that Thai cigarettes were terrible.

Just because our respective nations' governing bodies were at odds with one another, did not mean we, as individuals, had to act as such. As a traveler, one must think of one's self as an ambassador and behave accordingly. I believe it is in the everyday conversation with everyday people that one has more influence than any appointed official could ever hope to sway.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Kenya?
Let's see...there is this one site, Cheetahs Nevah Prospah that profiles pretty well the experience of living in east Africa, but is also fairly entertaining.

And the guy who writes it is dash handsome as hell to boot.