Shopping on Biashara Street

A big part of my role with Judith&James is to restock supplies and fabric for upcoming orders from customers. I typically travel downtown Nairobi to restock on notions or fabric at least every week or a few times a week. This usually entails hopping on a motorcycle taxi which will take me to a matatu van or bus to town (see http://nikkihyodo.blogspot.com/2014/02/matatus-and-motorbikes.html). From town I will walk on foot to where I need to go.

I can guarantee along the way to and from town, at least one Kenyan will shout "ching, chong Chinese!?!" OR "Where you from, China? Korea?"I don't know if I will ever quite get used to the constant references of my physical appearance. Such obvious differences between my Asian looks and the African people.

In town the stores I usually frequent are on Biashara Street. Biashara is a Swahili word meaning trade. Along this street lies many shops that sell mainly sewing supplies and fabric. There are a few main stores I will go to along that road. Many of the store workers and owners know me now and recognize me well.

The photos below were taken yesterday while purchasing the blue kanga material and restocking several colours of thread.

The above picture is in the store Haria's. I am pictured with Kim, 

one of the store workers there. Haria's has fabric and other souvenirs. 

I bought the blue fabric in the photo.

Here I am inside Atul's shop. Although the store is not quite as organized as Harias,

they are supplied with all sorts of fabrics, notions, and other odds and ends also. 

-Nikki Hyodo