I arrived in Nairobi on Friday night (Saturday Morning)
at around 12:30 AM (June 1, 2012). I was
the last one to arrive. Everyone else
has arrived earlier in the day. On Saturday
morning, we got the chance to meet the Kenya 5 team members for the first time in
person. For the past three months we
have been working as virtual team - talking on phone, emails, Sametimes, and conference call. It was really nice to meet with everyone in
person. The team members come from six different countries (US, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and UK). We are all staying in the same guest house, small rooms but clean and quite.
There have been some terrorist attacks in Nairobi because of problems in the neighboring country Somalia. We see Kenyan armed forces around when go out even in the neighborhood we are staying which happened to be a safer area.
After a quick breakfast, we had a briefing from IBM Security Administrator, Lucky Kambale.
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| Security Briefing by IBM Security Administrator, Lucky Kambale |
After a quick breakfast, we had a briefing from IBM Security Administrator, Lucky Kambale.
There are
some Do’s and Don’ts we have to pay attention to while in Kenya.
1.
DO inform IBM security if we are planning to go anywhere in the evening.
2.
DON’T forget
to tell your colleagues you are going out if you decide to go for a walk.
3.
DON’T go alone inform others or people at the hotel know where you
are going and expected time to return.
4.
DO not talk on your Cell phone when walking on the street because it’s easy
for someone to snatch the phone.
5.
DON’T travel in local buses and avoid it.
It’s better to take taxi even though it is more expensive. While
traveling in taxi, make sure to lock the door from inside and keep the windows
close or open no more than an inch or so.
6.
DO keep an eye on
your purse and/or wallet at all times – pick pocketing can happen anywhere.
7.
DO be aware of your
surroundings – especially at ATMs or currency exchanges.
8.
DO keep your hotel
room locked/latched and your valuables stored away. If there is not a safe in
your room there will be one at the hotel’s front desk.
9.
DO have your mobile
phone with you at all times in case you need to be reached in an emergency.
10. DO
have a photocopy of your passport and other
important documents. These should be kept separate from your actual passport.
11. DON’T
go out alone at night to areas you are unfamiliar
with – pairs is always best.
12. DON’T
ever bring anyone back to your hotel or tell anyone
your room number.
13. DON’T
accept beverages or food from strangers in bars and
always make sure your drinks are attended to if you need to step away from the
table.
14. DON’T
leave your hotel without carrying with you a few
smaller bills of local currency, in case you need to catch a taxi for
emergencies.
I have been selected as designated
contact for our the CSC team to gather information from the rest of the team members
on any weekend or business trips out of Nairobi and email Lucky and Lucy with
the following information:
- Who is going?
- Where and what hotel?
- Dates?
- How?
- With who and contact information?
The dinner
was with CDS/NGO partners, Gavin Cepelak and Lucy Muguiyi Njuguna at the
restaurant CARNIVORE, a heaven for carnivorous.
The team had fun eating all different kind of meats. It was nice evening with team everyone
chatting and having fun. Also,
interesting to observe an IBM Global Team in reality with such diversity which
is our team’s as well IBM’s strength. The
pictures of menu at Carnivore restaurants and team dinners are included below:
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| Menu at Carnivore |
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| Team Dinner with Gavin Cepelak and Lucy Muguiyi Njuguna |
#ibmcsc kenya5
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