Kenya and the greater East African region have an incredible commitment to relaxation, especially when it comes to the holiday season. Even before I came here, I was aware of corporate Kenya’s two week hiatus in December. There are two places to go during holidays: up-country to your family’s home and the coast.
Most of the people that live in Nairobi are first or second generation city dwellers, which mean they still have a family farm somewhere in the rural parts of the country. The grandparents, parents and other family members live at the “family home,” this is the language used to describe where a person comes from. You may live somewhere else but your home is where you came from and where your heritage lies. So, like many cultures, Kenyan’s travel to their roots to celebrate the birth of Jesus (most Kenyan’s are extremely religious) with their beloved family members. This is under the assumption people have the means for public fare or personal transportation.
If a family is lucky enough or frugal enough to afford a proper holiday, they travel to coast. (Notice I did not say “the coast.” Kenyan’s don’t say they were at “the coast,” they say they were “in coast” – trying to fit in here, people!) The traffic jams of Nairobi shift to Mombasa as most Nairobians retreat to the sun-filled, ocean view of the coast. While Americans and Europeans go to tropical destinations to soak up the sun and enjoy the beautiful environment, Kenyans enjoy the air-conditioned hotel rooms until the sun retreats in the late afternoon. The beaches are lined with mzungus sunbathing all day until the time when the waters are filled with African’s taking their afternoon dips in the salty sea.
Wherever one finds themselves during the December break, spending time while relaxing with family, friends and good food is the most important thing of all. After all of the Christmas festivities and New Year parties, everyone can go back to school or work refreshed and filled with the memories of a great holiday season.
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