Home…it means different things to different people. For some it may be their current place of stay, or a destination they have felt so drawn to that they would love to call it home. For some its where their family is and for me that is exactly what I think of when I think of home. Except my home is in a different continent – in Africa.
I grew up in Kenya, in Mombasa until I was 16 and then in Nairobi, where my parents still live. For me, when I miss home, or talk about going home it is always to Kenya. I love London but for me home is most definitely Kenya. I do get the off confused look when I tell people I am from Kenya or my home is in Kenya as I look (heritage is) Indian.
It is because my ancestors set up home in Kenya many generations ago so for me home is Kenya and not India. I have only been to India a handful of times and even though the traditions and culture is familiar, it doesn’t feel like home as I have never lived there and cannot relate to it as our way of life is completely different.
After I got married 6 years ago, home became 2 homes. My parent’s home and my in laws home. Trips back home are always split equally (as fairly as we can make it) between the two. What is special is that they both live in different parts of Kenya (my in laws live in Mombasa) so our ritual has now been to spend our time between the two.
First my parents home. Located in Muthaiga, in Nairobi Kenya right opposite and next to a golf course, the house is pictured below and is where I have lived in since I was 16.
Have you visited anywhere and it’s sparked off such a strong feeling in you that considered moving there? Are you an expat, when and why did your new city start to feel like home? Have you ever moved somewhere completely new on a whim? What makes somewhere feel like home? People, places, food?
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Aftab Pathan says
Oh Binny. I can totally feel your connection to Africa. I didn’t grow up there, but after visiting most summers of my childhood, I know how you feel about such a wonderful country. The possibilities are endless, the life is so relaxed, the fact you can walk to the corner and get fresh mandazee and coconut water is just the best. Also having the freedom to have so many pets is so great, not to mention the monkeys. My grandma used to have so many fruit and veg plants/trees in her garden and the monkeys used to eat the ripe fruit everyday and she would often chase them off with a broom.
Lovely post!
Aftab
Fresh And Fearless
Binny says
Aww thank you and I knew you would get it and that is why we get along so well ❤️ lovely stories about your grandma’s house I can so envisage it 🙂 so many lovely nostalgic moments xx
Ahila says
Enjoyed reading about your two homes in Kenya and especially, seeing your family and numerous lovely pets. Thanks, Binny, for sharing this at #travellinkup.
Binny says
Awww thank you 🙂
Tanja says
lovely post!you look great in that pink sari:)
Binny says
thanks lovely 🙂 xx
Charlene Flash says
Wow, I love the history of your family. I know some Kenyans who are of Indian heritage too 🙂 x
Binny says
Thanks lovely!! xxxx
Sunil Shah says
That is a lovely post and the spooky thing is that I have a very similar family set up and I have the same nostalgic memories and feelings that you have!
Binny says
Awww that is so lovely!!!
Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN) says
Wonderful learning more about you. It must have been amazing to grow up in Kenya.
Binny says
It really was and I really hope you get to experience it soon 🙂 Your weekend sounded amazing xx
John says
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Emma Thelondonkiwi says
Binny, this is just SO lovely!
Jessi (@2feet1world) says
Wow, what a menagerie! Thanks for linking up 🙂
Binny says
Lol thanks for reading 🙂 xx