Kenya

Nairobi

While Nairobi today is certainly not the small station depot it used to be, it cannot really be classed as a very big city. It is not a city one goes to visit just for the city itself. But this is the gateway to an immensely beautiful and adventurous country with unique features not available anywhere else in the world. It has many drawbacks yet it is a friendly city and it can really grow on you, if you have the right approach. The place can be lively and interesting. It has a unique culture. Where else can one see Maasai warriors in traditional attire walking along with modern business people? The city is perpetually busy and colorful.

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Best time to visitDecember, March

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A CLOSER LOOK

Top places to visit

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What to do with Children in Tow

Children will enjoy every aspect of this child centric tour. One could avoid the city sightseeing and spend more time at the Nairobi National Park. They will just love the Giraffe Centre where they can come really close to the huge Rothschild Giraffes and actually feed them. The Animal Orphanage at the entrance of the National Park is a place all children enjoy. Orphaned wildlife is looked after here and there are lions and leopards, chimpanzees and otters amongst others.

Safaris

Besides these, are the Safaris one can take to game parks which are just 6-7 hours drive from Nairobi. Amongst them the most popular is of course the Masai Mara Natural reserve. This is in the beautiful Savannah Grasslands area of Kenya and has a huge number of large animals. The Masai community has been allowed to graze there and very often can be spotted in their traditional attire asking you to photograph them at a price.

Ice Skating rink, Panari sky center

Within 5 kms of the City Center is this architectural masterpiece. Considered the largest rink in East Africa, the Ice Rink is on the 2nd floor of the Panari Sky Center. It has 15,000 square feet of ice and can accommodate 200 skaters. The ambience of the Alpines have been recreated.

Bomas of Kenya

This has become a regular feature of every Nairobi tour. It is a village cum cultural centre where traditional African Music and dance performances are held to specially attract the tourist to African life. Traditional African homes have been modeled and visitors get a feel of life in Africa before modernization.

Giraffe Center

Rothschild Giraffes faced a fear of extinction. It was this center which made an all out effort to save them. There are Giraffes which can come and feed from your hands here now. It is a favorite with children. There are also bushbucks, dik-diks and warthogs found here. The gift and souvenir shop is well stocked and not very expensive. The Giraffe Manor in the premises is now an up market hotel.

Karen Blixen Museum

The famous Danish author, Karen Blixen, who wrote under the pseudo name Isak Dinesen lived here. She is the author of ‘Out of Africa.’ Her house was originally in the coffee plantations in the countryside, but now with the growth of the city, it is just in the outer region of Nairobi and has been converted into a museum. It has many of her famous books and paintings of African life. It is the highlight of every tour of Nairobi. A peaceful atmosphere pervades this area where trees abound.The grounds have been looked after well. The Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens Restaurant is a nice place to relax and soak in the atmosphere. The Langatta area on which it is located is in the richer neighbourhood of Nairobi.

Kenyan Railway Museum

A bit hard to find, this is a must see for any tour of Nairobi. Kenyan modern history is linked to its railways, and this museum has relics and photographs of old trains. There are some old carriages kept which one can climb into and explore. These speak of amazing incidents and have pictures to bring them alive.

Uhuru Park

This is the most famous and popular park of Nairobi and is just off the city centre and extends into the west into Upper Hill area. It has a lake where boats can be hired. There are vantage points at a height where the city’s skyline can be admired from. President Moi had wanted to build over this park but his efforts met with great resistance from Wangari Maathai and he had to give up this idea. She won the Nobel Prize for her efforts in saving this park. This is also the place for most demonstrations and political rallies. These must be avoided if touring the city.

The Arboretum

This beautiful forest reserve is spread over 80 acres and has more than 300 species of trees from Kenya. It is a beautiful place to walk around in and absorb the sounds and sights of pure nature.

Parliament Building

Visiting times to this colonial building depend on when the National Assembly is in meeting. The Parliament House besides its imposing building showcases intricate tapestry needlework, a mosaic of Kenyan tribes and a table made purely with trees from Kenya made by the Women’s League of East Africa.

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THE LOCAL TABLE

Halal restaurants in Nairobi

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Alan Bobbe’s Bistro

Alan Bobbe’s Bistro is a French Bistro gourmet restaurant with a rich décor. The dress code is formal, food is mouthwatering and menu extensive.

The Lord Errol

The Lord Errol is a premium French and International cuisine restaurant situated in a peaceful location. It is a favourite of Nairobi’s expatriate crowd as well as local Kenyans. The wine list is extensive, service excellent, and the French food is the finest one can get probably in the entire East African belt.

Furusato

Furusato, is a Japanese specialty restaurant. Considered the best in Nairobi for sushi, sashimi, tepanyaki, tempura and other Japanese specialities. The settings are elegant and subtle and the service has typical Japanese warmth and hospitality.

The Carnivore

The Carnivore is considered amongst the top barbecue restaurants of the world. An open air restaurant it is a unique experience and a must for every visitor, especially for meat eaters. There is every possible kind of meat including wild game meat of the zebra, antelope, crocodile, ostrich, etc. These are cooked over a huge charcoal pit. The restaurant does not follow the norm in its service. Once seated, soup is served and there are side dishes of salad and vegetables with a variety of sauces to choose from. Unlimited and varied meats are then brought on huge swords and carved onto your plates. Dessert and coffee at the end completes the meal. The service here is exemplary and the ambience amazing.

Trattoria

Trattoria is famous for its Italian specialities. The desserts here are mouth watering. The restaurant is on two floors and the upstairs balcony area gets packed every evening.

Thorn Tree Café

Café is an upmarket café with international cuisine. It has great atmosphere and the Acacia Tree in the centre is legendary. Thousands of messages would be pinned here by travelers and many times replies written in the past. Today message boards have been placed around the tree to protect it.

Tamarind Restaurant

Tamarind Restaurant serves the best seafood brought in fresh from the coast everyday. Besides seafood the restaurant has a range in other meats and vegetarian dishes. The place has won the best restaurant award many times. It also has a choice of specialty African dishes to choose from. It has a classy Arabic-Moorish décor and one is expected to dress up for this restaurant. It is advisable to make a reservation.

Panda Chinese Restaurant

is the best place for authentic Chinese food in an atmosphere created to fit the quality of food served. The interiors are classy and this is a popular restaurant even though it takes time to find it on Kaunda street.

Fiesta Restaurant and Bar

Fiesta Restaurant and Bar has international dishes on its menu giving authentic flavours to food in its varied choice. Service with a smile is the motto of the staff. The décor is bright and appealing.

Siam Thai

Siam Thai serves authentic Thai food which is perhaps truer to the taste than attempts by other Chinese or Thai restaurants in Nairobi. It has a very pleasing setting and friendly, helpful staff.

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Where to stay in Nairobi

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Nairobi Serena

Considered as Nairobi’s finest hotel by many, the Nairobi Serena keeps the highest standards in service, quality and hospitality. The Serena Group is considered a highly professional group and all its properties are well known for quality of service.

New Stanley Hotel

This hotel has been made world famous by the many authors, film makers and artists who not only stayed here, but got their inspiration and best creative spirit while seeping in the atmosphere in The Stanley as it was called then. Some of the more famous ones are Elspeth Huxley, author of books like the ‘The Flame Trees Of Thika,’ Col J H Patterson author of the true story ‘The Maneaters of Tsavo’, Ernest Hemingway who wrote many of his famous works while staying at The Stanley, recuperating from an illness. Films like Mogambo, The Macomber Affair or King Soloman’s Mines, were either filmed or had production units and crew and cast staying here.

The Grand Regency Hotel

This is a fairly new hotel with a typical high rise modern façade in white with solar glass look. It is in the up market business district of Nairobi overlooking the Uhuru Park. It has color and class in its style. The interiors have high atriums, skylights and intricate mosaic and bead work.

Norfolk Hotel

Ideally located on Harry Thaku road, only 5 minutes from the city centre, this is a landmark amongst the Nairobi Hotels and is the oldest Hotel in Nairobi with a historical and colourful past. Today it is still one of Nairobi’s top hotels. It is almost as if the city was built around Norfolk rather than the opposite. It was first opened as a small hotel way back in 1904 by Major CGR Ringer. With nothing but open lands in front and behind the area, this was the place for all weary travelers and game hunters to look forward to after a tiring journey and then completely unwind and relax. It is older than the London Ritz, and has a truly romantic ambience. The hospitality and standards of service it was famous for then are still unmatched in the country. All the important state visitors have stayed or at least visited The Norfolk. It has witnessed history like no other. The meetings of the First World War leaders with the military used to be held here, the British crown was accepted by the Kenyans here. Many important events have been witnessed from this historical place.

Windsor Golf and Country Club

Whether you are a golfer or not this hotel / country club will completely bowl you over. It is only a fifteen minute drive from the city center but is far from the madness and tension of city life. The resort is in a lush quiet peaceful tropical country setting, with a beautiful 18 hole golf course, lovely open areas for meetings, social events, outdoor parties or conferences and conventions.

Holiday Inn Mayfair Nairobi

This charming historical hotel is a blend of the modern and the traditional. Its architectural style is distinctive and goes back to the colonial days of the 1940’s. Earlier known as the Mayfair Court Hotel it is now part of the Holiday Inn group. The rooms are large and comfortable with all modern luxuries. The gardens are very well preserved. The staff is warm, friendly and extremely hospitable. They speak English, Swahili, German and French.

Giraffe Manor

This is a small boutique hotel which only has 6 double rooms to offer, yet it is a retreat which creates incredible warmth and gives the traveler an experience of a life time. Where else would you have Giraffes literally peering into your window while you enjoy a scrumptious breakfast? It is surrounded by 140 acres of forests. It is famous for its Rothschild Giraffes which have been given protection here and saved from extinction.

Macushla House

Another boutique hotel, this place can accommodate up to 10 guests only. It is surrounded by indigenous forests and is a great retreat to escape from the stress and severity of today’s city lifestyles. Macushla gives the right amount of privacy and space, yet provides for all comforts in an atmosphere of warmth and homeliness. The lawns have been allowed to grow naturally to attract the local flora and fauna.

Hilton Hotel Nairobi

Built in the 1960’s this cylindrical shaped hotel has an excellent location, both for the business and leisure traveler. It is in the heart of the city, right next to the Craft Bazaar and only about 20 minutes from the international airport. The famous Kenyatta International Conference Center is very close to the hotel. The hotel itself has 7 meeting rooms which can accommodate up to 500 guests. There is a business center with high speed Internet connectivity. It also has an outdoor pool, a massage, a gym and a health club.

The Safari Hotel and Casino

This sixteen storey hotel is located just 15 minutes from city center. It is on a 64 acre open plot and combines the best of African style to give a uniqueness and exclusivity to it. The landscaped gardens, sparkling water gardens, the inland beach, elegant architecture and a choice of fine dining make a stay in this hotel truly memorable. The hotel has 30 deluxe suites and 174 luxury rooms. Each room has a huge carved four poster bed.

History and today in Nairobi

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Nairobi Residents

People in urban Nairobi jostle between jobs and have to struggle for a living. There is a big divide between the rich and poor. There is hunger and poor sanitation for the city slum dwellers and the slums are increasing with the number of immigrants who hope to have a better life in the city. There are more than 2 million living in slums. These large numbers only have about 1.5 % land to live in. In the rainy season these areas become dangerously uninhabitable. Garbage piles up in these areas which have no electricity. Diseases are rampant. Evictions happen often. Indignity and homelessness is the rule as the government has never recognized the need to formalize these settlements. Crime thus is an obvious course for many.

Visa Information

Transit visa is required for many nationals. Please do confirm at the website of the embassy before traveling. The following nationals are exempt from a transit visa:

When to go

This is the perfect place for year round travel. Nairobi is at 5,449 feet or 1,661 meters above sea level. It has a very pleasant and moderate climate with temperatures never reaching too high or too low. Evenings can get pleasantly cool due to the altitude, in the winter months of June and July but it never really goes down too much below 10 °C.

Fast Facts

Location:

Public Holidays

There are a number of declared public holidays when businesses and banks are shut, but small shops, pubs and restaurants normally remain open.

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Annual Temperature:

January: 12; February: 13; March: 13

Exchange Rates

Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the official currency of Kenya.

Nairobi Today

Nairobi History

Till trains did not come into the area, Nairobi was just a little swamp land and a place for the Maasai people to quench their thirst enroute. Europeans colonizers had not shown any interest in it. Under great pressure of civil wars and outbursts of diseases like cholera and chickenpox, the Maasai chief was forced to allow the British to construct their Mombasa to Uganda railway line through the Maasai grazing lands.

Useful information

Shopping

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Masaai Collections

This store has products of many top designers including Penny Winter clothes, Sally Dudmesh jewellery, Niqui Theones clothes etc.

Zebu, Nakumatt Junction

This boutique has leather bags by the famous local designer Annabelle Thom, as well as other designer items. The quality of products here are excellent though expensive, and there is no bargaining. The Village Market, Gigiri, near the UN office and American Embassy Complex is an open shopping area which also hosts the famous local handicrafts market on Fridays. The Village Market is an upscale market with good clothes and shoe shops.

ABC Plaza, Waiyaki Way

Caters mainly to expatriates. This has a supermarket with a huge choice in imported items as well as food and household goods.

The Nakumatt Westlands

Again a mall with many choices. It is as popular as The Sarit Centre. It has the Nakumatt supermarket inside, as well as several boutiques and branded stores.

The Sarit Centre, Westlands, Nairobi

This is a shopping mall with a Uchumi Supermarket inside. This is a popular place with western travelers as it has a range of shops in fairly safe environs. It also has a movie hall inside. +254-20-3747408/9, 3748662, 374032

The Spinners Web

Viking House, Westlands, has two floors of an amazing selection of textiles as well as other homeware items. Tel: +254 20 4440882.

The City Market

Muindi Mbingu Street, City center was originally an aircraft hanger. This is now a covered shopping area with some great shops, right in the center of the city. This place has a buzzing atmosphere and many options of food, drinks, clothes, shoes and handicrafts to choose from. One must have the art of bargaining here.

Nakumatt

Biashara Street has a supermarket. Biashara Street is known for its textiles. This is the place to buy the traditional local Swahili wrap for men, the Kikoi.

Tuesday Market

near Norfolk Hotel: A large open market, less secure than the Masai open Market at Village Market, this is a Tuesday bazaar and a great place to pick up a variety of items including souvenirs at lower prices provided one’s bargaining skills have been honed.

The Mall

Westlands again has a range of stores. It is not as popular as the Sarit centre or the Nakumatt in the same area, but has some very decent shopping in the varied shops inside.

Signature sights in Nairobi

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Kenyatta Avenue

This is the best place to ‘hang around’ and get a feel of Nairobi while you walk its broad tree lined roads with flowers giving color and life to this buzzing street. Within walking distance from this avenue are the old colonial buildings including Parliament House, Nairobi City Hall, museums and other places of interest. Many shops with traditional crafts, especially in the Masaii market are found in this area. It also has hotels, restaurants, casinos, pubs and night clubs. The City Market is close by.

The National Museum

Just outside the city centre, it is famous for housing ancient Kenyan tribal and prehistoric Leakey artifacts. It also has geological exhibits and all varieties of preserved butterflies, birds and animals can be seen here. The museum has contemporary African art as well as cultural and art forms of the past. The Kikuyu homestead has been replicated and there is a snake park in the grounds of this museum.

Kenyan National Archives

This is situated in one corner of the Central Business District of Nairobi and is a rich source of information on both historical and contemporary Kenya. It has photographic records as well as exhibits of Kenyan art and craft.

Nairobi National Park

On a visit to Nairobi, if one does not have the time for a Kenyan Safari, then a trip to this National Park will satisfy the urge to feel and see the wonders of the Safari. The Park is fenced on the Nairobi side but open from the other to allow all the game to come freely through it. It has trees, parks, water bodies, deep gorges and observation points, like the Impala point, from where one can see the Athi plains and on some days, even Mt. Kilimanjaro. It surrounds Nairobi and is a 114 kms large area.

Central Park

is next to the Uhuru Park and again is a large, green, well maintained park. The park also has President Jomo Kenyatta’s memorial. He was the first President of Kenya.

Festivals and events in Nairobi

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New Year’s Day

1st Jan is celebrated with lights and fanfare to usher in the New Year.

Good Friday and Easter Monday

Good Friday and Easter Monday are celebrated by the majority Christian population. Mass in Church and prayers are offered.

Kenyan School and College Drama Festival

The Kenyan School and College Drama Festival is a popular event and held on rotation in different cities across Kenya in the month of March as a culmination of regional competitions.

The Nairobi Air Show

The Nairobi Air Show is very popular not only in Nairobi, but also all over Africa. Air shows, sky diving, aerobatic, as well as aircraft displays are the highlights. This event is held in March.

The East African Art Festival

The East African Art Festival is held in Nairobi each year in the month of March and has competitors coming not only from Kenya, but also from other East African countries. It is a three days event and involves all forms of art, painting architecture, sculpture and traditional pieces.

Nairobi tours and experiences

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Africa Horizons Travel and Safari

Africa Horizons Travel and Safari is a tour company which basically specializes in outstation tours from Nairobi and other places in Kenya and Tanzania to places like Masai- Mara, National Parks, Rift valley, Lake Nagura, Ngorongoro crater etc. Besides these they also take care of tours within Nairobi on special itineraries.

Abercrombie and Kent

Abercrombie and Kent is a trusted name in luxury adventure tours the world over. They have a large number of tours in Nairobi region which cater to special interests and take care of hotel requirements, transport and special needs. This company is especially good for longer trips and specialized tours.

Adventure Africa Holidays

Adventure Africa Holidays has tours and agents all over East Africa with its head office in Nairobi. They have organized city excursions which include Nairobi City Tour for 3 hours with a round of the city and its city markets, colonial and government buildings, the Kenyatta conference centre, Railway Museum, National Museum and Snake Park. The 4 hour Nairobi National Park tour also includes the animal orphanage. Another 4 hour tour is to the Karen Blixen Museum and Giraffe Centre. Some longer tours have a combination of 4-5 places. Dinner or lunch tours to the famous Carnivore restaurant, or visit to the Bomas of Kenya are part of organized tours on offer. There are full day tours to Lake Nakuru National Park express further into the rift valley or within Nairobi and outskirts, or just a trek into the thick Ngong forest. The tour operator has safaris and trips for overnight stays too.

Espoir Tours and Transport

Espoir Tours and Transport organizes special adventure tours emphasizing on eco-tourism as well as tours within Nairobi and airport transfers. They have day trips in Nairobi to Karen Blixen’s, David Sheldrick Orphanage, Safari Nature walks, Nairobi National Park, Bomas of Africa, Dinners at Carnivore etc. They also organize special Kenya camping safaris, mountain climbing and treks.

Other Organised Tours

There are many great operators not mentioned here. One can book trips with the international operators directly from country of origin. They will have affiliates in Nairobi. The Kenyan Association of Tour Operators lists all the recognized operators in Kenya, with most based out of Nairobi. Besides Safaris almost all operators organize day trips within and around Nairobi. Their website is http://www.katokenya.org/

Twiga Car Hire and Tours Ltd

Twiga Car Hire and Tours Ltd have been in the business of organizing tours within and around Nairobi as well as the rest of East Africa.

Kimbla Mantana African Safaris

Kimbla Mantana African Safaris has tremendous experience in its almost 40 years of organizing special upmarket tours and Safaris in Kenya. They have mobile-tented luxury camps and fireside dining as their USP.

Basel Tours and Travel Company

Basel Tours and Travel Company is a Nairobi based company which offers day trips in Nairobi covering modern city centre, Parliament House, Museums, Snake Park, Nairobi National park, Karen Blixen’s, Ngong Hills, Giraffe Centre, Carnivore Dinners, music and dances. They are also specialists in Safaris organizing safe and adventurous tours with trained operators.

Habib Tours and Travel

Habib Tours and Travel is better known as HTT Global Holidays & Incentives and organizes special tours of Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Lake Nakura, Amboseli, as well as animal safaris and beach holidays. They specialize in special tours and incentive groups with dinners and theme incentives thrown in. Their organized tours are mainly safaris for longer stays but all travel, hotel and tour needs within Nairobi are also organized by them.

African Vacation Tours and Safaris

African Vacation Tours and Safaris is another tour company which has listed tours all over Kenya. There are a number of tours within and in the outskirts of Nairobi which cover the Museums, Karen Blixen’s, Nairobi National Park, Bomas of Africa, the Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick Orphanage amongst other

Nairobi masjids and Muslim travel

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Jamia Mosque

Jamia Mosque is the most important mosque of Kenya. Located on Banda Street in the central business district it is Nairobi’s most noticeable religious structures. It has silver domes and twin minarets.

Abubakar Mosque

Abubakar Mosque was built by Ihya Atturath alislami of Kuwait

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Mosque

Mbagathi Way, Nairobi City, Kenya

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Masjid Jaqmia Mosque

Karanja Road Estate, Nairobi City, Kenya

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Masjid Al-Aqsa Islamic Mosque

Karanja Road Estate, Nairobi City, Kenya

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Masjid Al Maida Mosque

Karanja Road Estate, Nairobi City, Kenya

Transportation

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Driving Tips

Driving is on the left hand side. The International Driving License is valid for use but has to be endorsed by the Road Transport Office in Nairobi if one plans to self drive a car there.

Rail Transport

Is mainly for freight or cross country travel and offers spectacular views on the way. Trains can be taken from the Nairobi Central station. They provide a fast and reliable route to suburban areas besides the rest of Kenya.

From the airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Nairobi is a major hub of almost 30 international airlines flying into Africa. From the airport one can take the airport Metro shuttle bus which operates every half an hour or use the local cabs. Most private car companies have their counters at the international airport and can be pre-booked or hired from there itself. Most large hotels have their coach for pick up and drop off. They also provide car pick up on request.

Car for Hire

There are various international car companies to hire cars from in Nairobi.

Taxi

For a tourist this is probably the best way to travel in Nairobi. Though taxis are expensive and unmetered, and involve rates to be pre fixed with a good head for bargaining, they still provide a safer way to travel. Taxis are a must at night when the city is reputed to be unsafe, for that matter even during the day it is better to get into one. These are black, fairly large and with a yellow line. New and better taxi companies now provide for telephone booking of taxis. All hotels will help hail a cab. KSH 200 is the normal amount around town. Airport trips can go upto KSH 1000/-

Buses

The Matatu is a privately owned Nissan Minibus which is the most popular form of transport amongst the locals in Nairobi. These operate on specific routes and are cheap. Usually seating between 14 and 24, they try and take in as many passengers on the way, hence are overcrowded and with the speeds they drive at, can be dangerous to the uninitiated. The route and numbers are marked on each Matatu.

Health and Safety

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Health and Safety

Be it for men or women, Nairobi has unfortunately picked up a reputation of being an unsafe city giving it the name ‘Nairobbery’. Though many travelers may never have had a problem it is strongly advised that one be careful at all times, avoid lonely areas, stay within hotels, or in groups, take cabs, do not carry large amounts of money or wear expensive watches or jewelry. If one does have to carry money it is best to divide it up and hide it in various parts of your clothing. One must also be careful in not getting carried away with sob stories of people who will ask for financial assistance, or who offer reasonable accommodation in other hotels.

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