When donkeys bray

The first thing I noticed about Lamu is the incredible beauty of the old town.  As the boat approached the shore, an amazing city straddled the shore.

I stepped out of the boat, and the sound of donkeys braying filled my ears.  There are no cars or buses, so donkeys become the main means of transportation.  And like the persistent honking of New York City taxi cabs, the braying of donkeys is everywhere in Lamu.  It was a bit odd at first, but I quickly became used to it. Everywhere I turned, there were donkeys.  They wander around the streets of Lamu like cows in Indian cities.  They stop in the middle of the road.  They wander up to restaurants.  And often they are loaded down with bricks, food, or other assorted items.

The lack of cars and donkeys wandering all over the place make for a slow pace of life in Lamu.  No one seems to be rushing to get anywhere.  Instead, everywhere I turn I see people relaxing and talking with each other. This is a city made for wandering about.