The Walkabout

So, until recently, it had been a real long time since I went on a walkabout in Westlands and the CBD. As it happens, I am healing from a running injury, and I now walk instead. I usually walk in areas that are less traveled and have little to no human and vehicle traffic, as much as possible. One recent morning, however, I decide to walk towards the CBD and experience a different route from my regular paths. This means meeting more humans and vehicles, but a change is as good as a rest, right?

I set out towards Central Westlands District (CWD) and I realize that the new Ring Road has changed the flow of traffic, both humans and vehicles. Things look different and I look around appreciating the surrounding as I walk along. I get to a place past the CWD, and I realize that the baobab tree that almost got felled to make way for the express way is still living! I am so excited to see her standing in majesty. Thank you, KOT (Kenyans on Twitter) for saving this beauty. During constructions at that roundabout I had thought the slip road joining Chiromo Road had been closed, but I now realize that it was put back and it actually joins Chiromo Road! I continue down that road, pleasantly surprised that there still exists a way here. Sadly, I notice a few restaurants and shops in that area did not survive the construction period and the lot adjacent to the road looks sadly abandoned.

I join the highway and I immediately realize that the pavement that used to be parallel to Chiromo Road must’ve been swallowed up in the road expansion and now as pedestrians, we have been left to our own peril as we navigate our way along this road. Undeterred, I jump, hop and skip it past dangerously rocky and slippery landscape. As I cross Chiromo Lane, I realize that the high rise buildings that have been in construction since forever are complete! I look up admiring the finished work. I see we now have JW Marriot Hotel, not too shabby, I think to myself. Then I notice The Global Trade Center (GTC). It is humongous, the gate is so high and well secured that I wonder what the building is holding to warrant that kind of security. I haven’t heard about it, so I look up in curiosity and notice a security guard leisurely leaning on the wall near the gate. I look at him, and wonder if I should take a photo of the place. However, now that I have slowed down and I am looking up at the building, I guess I have his attention because I am not passing quickly enough. He stands at a attention, and looks back at me in a posture that suggests that if I am to get into any mischief, he’d handle it before I can say “Jack Robinson” 🤣. Where did “Jack Robinson” come from, anyway? I digress, that’s a story for another day if there is one 😆. I realize that taking a photo is probably not the best action at this point and I walk on as I have a chuckle to myself.

I get to The Hotel Boulevard and I am surprised that it still appears to be going strong, considering how many ‘big’ hotels have folded recently. I walk on along Harry Thuku Road and turn on to Kijabe Street. It has been years since I have been in this part of town. Kijabe Street is a pleasant surprise, seeing it on a Saturday morning without the usual traffic. The street is surprisingly tidy and as I pass the shops I am quite intrigued by all the variety of goods sold that are available.

I round the block on to Kipande Road, and for the time I see Hon. John M. Michuki Park as a pedestrian. I am usually driving on this road and I have never really had a good look at it. Now I have the luxury of looking in as I walk along. As I return to Westlands, I see the new mall on Muthithi Road and purpose to explore it on my next walkabout. I finally make my way back home quite pleased with all the oohs and aahs I have had as I discovered new places or saw old places that I thought might’ve been overtaken by events. All in all, it has been a good walk that I am most grateful for.

#FindingPleasureInLittleThings