Paul Merrill
Almost twenty years ago, Heather and I lived with a very gracious family in rural Kenya, for two weeks. Learning how real people lived was part of a training program to orient us to life there. (We went on to live in East Africa for five years.) Peter, our main host, was on break from college. He …
Matatus are the minivans that transport people all over Kenya (and Tanzania). They have some very creative artwork – and names! The first time we lived in Kenya was from 1991-1994. I kept track of some of the names in a little notebook, which you can see in the photo. (Double-click the photo to see …
Method came out with new soap that comes in a bottle made from ocean plastic. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Texas-sized swirl of plastic in the middle of the ocean. Method decided to make a difference and produce bottles made from ocean plastic. Problem: Fast Company revealed that just 10% of each bottle is …
Traffic is part of life in many large cities around the world. The traffic in the busiest of USA cities is nothing compared to the grid-lock that affects many urban centers, particularly in the “developing world.” I loved our years in Nairobi, Kenya, but I do not miss the traffic. And it’s probably twice as …
Last Friday evening was a significant occasion for our family. Our oldest son Jay, a senior, was voted “Mr. Eagle” at a big high school event. He beat 11 other contestants. (His class has roughly 500 kids.) It was thrilling to hear them announce the new Mr. Eagle, in a room of more than 700 …
Nairobi, Kenya, is not far from the equator. We lived there for five years. Since the elevation is close to a mile high, the climate is ideal – about 70 degrees (21c) year-around. But since the climate allows for many people to live in very easily-built and relatively inexpensive homes (mud walls and a tin …
I am still taking a break from blogging until 2012, but here’s another post you may have missed. This originally appeared in my first blog on July 20, 2006. Context: I was living in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. The rules of life are a little different there. A few weeks ago, a colleague asked me if …
I am indeed taking a break from blogging until 2012, but I thought you would enjoy a post you may have missed. This originally appeared on January 5, 2011. When Heather and I first went to Africa (1991), we were part of a 3-month-long training program that was designed to help us love Africa. And …
First, here are my other websites: My business, Greener Grass Media — You’ll find useful insights on promoting your business or organization. The International Toothpaste Museum – I collect and share with you interesting toothpastes from around the world. My life in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa – My adventures from 2005-2007, in another part of the …
This “Discover Riches at Your Library” bookmark was given to my daughter as part of a summer reading program at our local library. I remembered that in Nairobi, a city of about 4 million people, there are a few libraries. Most of them have old tattered books. There is not a selection of the latest …