Comments on: A Tourist in Karen http://www.planetd.org/2006/01/22/a-tourist-in-karen/ Critiquing the Politics, Policy & Practice of Development Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:08:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ID http://www.planetd.org/2006/01/22/a-tourist-in-karen/comment-page-1/#comment-41252 ID Thu, 07 Sep 2006 02:17:17 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/blog/?p=61#comment-41252 As someone who lived in Karen/Lang'ata for many years, I can assure you it is not as exclusive as some would like it to be. We have the same bad roads, NO water, power cuts etc as anywhere else. I'm sorry you didn't like it. It is much more of a local area - locals being black, white and brown, than some of the other suburbs which are full of expats, "2-year wonders" and red number plates. There used to be very little tourism in this part of town until the film Out of Africa was released, and Karen's house turned into a museum. As for the Matbronze gallery, what a pity you didn't take the time to learn how much work goes into each and every piece. If you had, you would realise that some of the pieces there are VERY reasonably priced. I guess bronze just isn't your "thing". No - I don't work for them, and I am not a wealthy mzungu, in case you're wondering. Perhaps most of the attractions in this area appeal more to the kids and older adult (giraffe feeding, elephant and rhino orphanage, museums etc). Next time you have the chance to go to Kenya, visit this area with a Karen / Lang'ata resident - you might see it with different eyes! :) As someone who lived in Karen/Lang’ata for many years, I can assure you it is not as exclusive as some would like it to be. We have the same bad roads, NO water, power cuts etc as anywhere else. I’m sorry you didn’t like it. It is much more of a local area – locals being black, white and brown, than some of the other suburbs which are full of expats, “2-year wonders” and red number plates. There used to be very little tourism in this part of town until the film Out of Africa was released, and Karen’s house turned into a museum. As for the Matbronze gallery, what a pity you didn’t take the time to learn how much work goes into each and every piece. If you had, you would realise that some of the pieces there are VERY reasonably priced. I guess bronze just isn’t your “thing”. No – I don’t work for them, and I am not a wealthy mzungu, in case you’re wondering.

Perhaps most of the attractions in this area appeal more to the kids and older adult (giraffe feeding, elephant and rhino orphanage, museums etc).

Next time you have the chance to go to Kenya, visit this area with a Karen / Lang’ata resident – you might see it with different eyes! :)

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