From Nairobi to Mwanza by road

(apologise for any typos ahead... Until next time  )

I have two weeks leave and have no idea what to do with it ... How about a road trip to see my good friend in Mwanza,  a town i know less about  but had no idea of how i would get there!

I tried google search and different travel sites only to find archives dated 2010 with recomendations to buses that are out of service until on Sunday 7th /July/2013, i decided to walk to River road, Nairobi to ask around - for updated recommendations. I had heard alot about connecting from Kisumu but looking at the Map - it would mean spending a night somewhere and i also wanted to beat the No bus travelling night Curfew in Tanzania.

At Mash Coaches , they directed me to Transline Classic, located at Afia Centre , Tom Boya Street

My journey started at 8:00pm - Though they had told me earlier that the bus would leave at 7:00PM , we waited for an hour for us to hint the road - . I cant say much about whats on the road since i slept all the wat until we reached Tariime - 

My ticket from Nairobi @800 Kes

We arrived at the border at 5:00am, waited for an hour for the darkness to clear . Here i met with a lady who i later got to know as Florence who was also heading to Mwanza -  She recommended that i exchange my money from the border , i was hesitate abit but later only exchanged at the 18Tz RATE ...( Just later got to know i lost a few shs) 

We got on a Bodaboda to pass thru a 2km Borderline stretch from the Kenyan side to the Tanzania Side and the Bus stop - This cost me 100 KEs and 5000 Tanzania shs . Reaching the Tanzania Imigration, i remembered i forgot my Yellow card back in Nairobi -  I wondered what a waste of travel to reach at the border and later be sent back - thanks to Florence - Who also had no yellow card - She whispered to me to give her 5000 Tanzania shs - which i did and we were given our passes to proceed!

The Boda boda stopped at the First bus leaving which was the Batco Coach. Here at Tarime there are an option of travel means, from hiring a Taxi to a public Bus. The ticket is 10,000 Tz to Mwanza . I was advised by my Friends to take a Left seat in the bus, Through the Serengenti National Park you get to see a number of Wild Life and great senaries in Tanzania but one tideous thing is there are so many road blocks, at my time over 7 which will definately steal some of your time.

We got into the rocky Mwanza at 11:00am and i am happy to be in this place that am so looking forward to explore:) 

My ticket @10,000 Tz shs

Below is My travel Map :)

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Book Review: Tired of I.T

Pages:  231  

Author: Dave Conroy

Today, using computer becomes trendier in developing countries; Tired of I.T is a book that gives attention to the effects of using or working with a computer. Unlike most of us who have been introduced to a computer in our early 20s, Dave Conroy, the Author shares his experience as a computer user since an early age, he highlights the revolution of computer and shows you the challenges that today’s parents should be prepared to face with the dot com era children .

What happens when a child spends more time with his or her computer than his friends or family? What are some of the effects of being a Computer addict?  And how can your child find him or herself a fugitive of the law because he or she has been spending more time on a computer?

Tired of I.T explores Dave Conroy’s childhood, his teenage life to his adulthood. Growing up with his only companion “ the  Computer” Benefiting from all its resources like getting global connections, Joining other computer networks from all over the world ,  and  not missing being on the other side of the Law until he had a break down and  finally left his good paying job, his family and friends in pursuit for Happiness. With no experience of cycling, he takes up a bike, says goodbye to all the things he knew.

He shares his journey through North America, the different cultural randomness of people, the security consciousness that has spread by Television, exposing the universal language : of track drivers, the in confusion of locals at giving directions and most of all the generosity of strangers.

Dave Conroy, shares a unique advantage to travelling around ones country and the world…: - getting a chance to prove your history teacher wrong because what is out there… is always different from what’s taught in class

Never have I read a book – of a different setting that I can relate with  from the authors once love for computers  to taking up a new sport  though I haven’t yet left my work station , but Dave Conroy has taught me to tap into outdoor activities and be Happy …

Authors Bio: DaveConroy:

“In 2009 I quit my job working with computers, sold everything I owned, and bought a bicycle setting forth for a ’round the world journey. I found that the conventional way of living that involved swimming in debt, overworking, bad eating choices, and lack of sleep was going to eventually throw me over the deep end and I made a choice to break free from the mold and see what happened if I focused on getting from one point to another. I wrote the book Tired of I.T! – How I learned to stop worrying and love the bicycle over the course of 1.5 years while continuing to travel around the world. Throughout the way I’ve learned valuable life lessons, met interesting people and commenced to understand the balance that’s required in daily life, while sharing it with the reader”

For Dave Conroy, His journey has just started, Riding from North America, to Africa …Currently in Uganda , with no deadline to keep, he agrees that he started with a 3 year plan but has kept it to 10 years to bike around the world

You can get yourself a copy of Tired of I.T from his website at http://www.tiredofit.ca/book/

Youth Participation in the Kenya Live Presidential Debate 2013

After Days of inquiring from the different Youth groups in Nairobi if they have an idea of who is representing Young people on the panel selected to ask questions and failing miserably… Who is representing the Youth Voice and how are they going to represent are the two question on the mind of the young people gathered at the GPNairobi . 

11th Feb 2013 is a historical date for the First ever Presidential Debate to take place in Kenya forcusing on Economic and Social Policies. 

Live on all Media broadcasting Houses, by 16 hours, a group of young people had gathered at the Global Platform Nairobi to watch via the 3HD LD flat screen hanging on the wall. Dressed in white branded Tshirts with hash tags like #GPNairobi #TechStewards and #KenyaDebate2013. They used these hash tags to engage with the online audience as they updated via Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

Everyone is eager to know what the presidential aspirants are prepared to commit themselves to doing for Young people in Kenya after they take over Office. From the looks in their faces, as they frown and gear in excitement, They are waiting to know who is promising workable solutions as opposed to an ideal world to inform their vote! Since January, the Presidential Debate had been publicized through all broadcasting media outlets Online and Offline in Kenya. Even Google has a special page for the Kenya Presidential Elections 2013. I for one thought this Monday would be a public holiday but I guess Kibaki was not convinced to pause a whole day in preparation for the Debate! 

By 22:00 Hours, The Generic issues major asked were based on #Security, #Education, #Health but Youth were not given a special feature. I don’t know if this was intended by the Event Organisers or Young Peoples involvement in the Next Financial Year Kenyas Planning is still a dime light! “In the last presidential Election, Kibaki promised creating jobs and more jobs but why are there more numbers of youth unemployment today? Today, the presidential aspirants are also doing the same talk, We have the Youth Council In place which understands our problems, Why don’t they equip it to cater for practical solutions for Young Kenyans” Says Garang, a Youth Activist in Nairobi A lot of Youth Organisations in Kenya are members to the National Youth (NYC) – Kenya but the challenge is that politicians over shadow the role of the council with their Party interests thus leaving the NYC poorly funded and unable to do anything for the Youth! 

So did the #KEDebate13 Answer the Youth Question? 

In my opinion, No! Yes the discussion hieghlighted Issues of Security, Health, Education but they were all from a generic perspectives. None of the Presidential aspirants shared their concrete plan on what they will do to improve the status quo but could only share their optimist that once Kenyans trusted them , they would make a difference… Young people were not a forcus in point, Not at any point in the debate did any of the presidential aspirants connect Young people to the different “reforms” the word they kept on using without specifying which exact reforms they would bring forth!!! 

So did the #KEDebate13 change people’s perception? 

#ICCQuestion: This explored the issues whether Raila Odinga was the Snitch and How Uhuru is going to rule the Country via Skype!

#Raila Odinga – He was challenged with claims that he was de campaigning the establishment of a local tribunal instead of taking names to the ICC…He opposed this and said he tried his best to advocate that the suspected in KenyaPost election Violence be tried Home and yet other Parliamentarians Voted against it!

 #Mythoughts- Raila is not a Snitch – He only followed procedure – “ Kofi Annan warned us about ICC but we didn’t listen, I had to do my duty as a leader and act “ Uhuru labored to explain that the ICC will be post ponding his hearing As soon as possible so that it doesn’t drag his duties- “ Kenyans know my personal challenges and if they vote me in office, I will work towards taking Kenya Forward” #Mythoughts- I guess Uhuru needs a second chance!

 #Raila and Uhuru Friendship The two are best friends? Who would have believed? Both Uhuru and Raila are best friends according to their statements at this debate. They only defer in ideology – either claims 

#Martha - “ None of the politicians will tell you the truth, Kenyans know the truth …and this shows you that if they cant be honest to you, they will lie you when elected to power”.

#Mythoughts:- She Showed that Women in Kenya need to be given a chance to take up the main seat and take Kenya to the right cause of action- But is Kenya ready for a Woman president is what drags her a little behind on the race to the statehouse!

<br> tag 

#Peter Kenneth :- His Words Spark the Future! “I believe in Innocent until proven Guilty” 

#Mythoughts:- He believes in reconciliation, he believes in moving forward once given power. He is admired by the Kenyan Middle class but he faces a challenge that these individuals don’t vote! He is likely to be let down by them!

#Dida #Mythoughts: He is definatley a no- nosense person, To him , Kenya is for Kenya and that’s all that matters. He relates a lot with the day to day life but what he says make people laugh- not because they believe him but because he is hilarious. If you have ever watched #DanforMayor, a Serie, You would know that He is a Joke Candidate 

#Muite dared to solve the Migingo Insland land dispute with Uganda in a snap, He wonders why it has taken long to be resolved confirming that the Insland should nt be mistaken, its owned by Kenya! 

From the Synovate recent polls on #KeDebate13: ICC Issue - Uhuru 25%, Raila 17%, Muite 14%, Karua 13%, Kenneth 7%#Decision2013

One thing clear in this debate is that All the Presidential Aspirants are encouraging a Peaceful Election come - March 2013. They all pledged to concrete defeat and if they are any irregularities, they would use the judicially to sort out their cases!

May the Best Man or Woman win this March 2013