Sari, Naivasha, Kenya
This amazingly brave, hard-working, inspiring woman lives in Kenya, country of her dream, where owns and manages a 10-room hotel Aloepark in Naivasha. Question about normal Tuesday makes her laugh: in everyday life in Kenya there is not such a thing as normalcy! Check out how Africa got her heart a long ago. She quotes Finnish writer Anna-Leena Härkönen: ”Jos unelmia lantrataan, jää pelkkää vettä vaan. Ne on otettava raakana tai ei ollenkaan.” When you have a dream, need to go for it 100% or not at all. This is an ultimate story about how dreams can truly come true!
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STORY
“I worked for 21 years abroad for Finnish tour operator as destination tour guide. I had always wanted to stay in Kenya and applied to study in Kenya Wildlife Service Training institute – paramilitary school. After few months of studies, I felt that I can never go back to old tour guide life anymore, I want to stay in Kenya. It was a “it’s now or never”-feeling! Life as tour guide was interesting, adventurous, exciting…but Africa got my heart long time ago.
I was guiding Finnish tour groups in various African countries for five years, before I was brave enough to sell my small flat in Finland and to invest that money to buy a property in Kenya. I bought a Kenyan family house and started renovating and transforming it to a small boutique hotel. I never thought it would come out as nice as it did! But only after hard work and determination (and many moments of desperation).
As a woman, things go very well here, maybe extra well because I´m a foreigner. It is somehow expected that hotel has a good standard because of foreigner in lead.
For a start – hotel under construction – I felt myself a rookie because I didn´t know anything about building. The whole project started among other things with the installing hot water pipes and buying solar cells and solar tanks. I managed very well; found the answers, price levels and how many different types of tanks exist – thanks to Google. Water is piping hot and had to buy more of those tanks too.
At first it was also terrifying to realize what I can or cannot do? (“Oh, lady wants bigger window for bathroom, how big?”. Then builders just drew the wanted window into the wall and hit it with the sledgehammer. After that they brick more stones and installed window frames and window glasses. It was bigger enough within hours). I was happy it was my project, not anybody else´s. I wasn´t responsible for anyone and if there were mistakes, they were mine (and there hasn´t been almost any).”
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Meet Sari, originally from Finland, living in Naivasha, Kenia since 2012. Naivasha is a large town circa 100 km by road north-west of Nairobi. It is also a popular tourist destination and includes Lake Naivasha, where you can spot hippopotamus and observe birdlife.
Her family consists of mother and 2 brothers who live in Finland. In Kenya she has mainly furry family members: 2 dogs, cat, 3 chicken and 3 rabbits.
Before moving to Kenya, she worked for over 20 years for a Finnish tour operator Aurinkomatkat as a tour guide and lived in various countries (e.g. Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, South-Africa, Italy, China, Greece, Malta, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey etc.). Today she owns a boutique hotel, Hotel Aloepark Naivasha. She also guides Finnish groups in various African countries (Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda etc.)
Sari has written a book (”Afrikkalainen kouluvuosi” i.e. “School Year in Africa”) about her year in an African school in Kenya Wildlife Service Training institute.
Sari, Mirka and Tiina all worked for Aurinkomatkat and were long-term colleagues. Mirka laughs that first memory of Sari is while visiting Tunisia for work and Sari introduced her Tunisian spicy paste, harissa!
EVERYDAY LIFE
There is not such a thing as a normal Tuesday in Kenya. Morning usually starts with feeding all animals and many mugs of good Kenyan coffee. Then Sari directs staff to their duties, checks hotel´s check-outs and check-inns and goes to town to stock up fruits and vegetables.
When asked about the worst things in everyday life, she summarizes: ”Maybe it´s yet to come. Everything seems the worst when it´s happening, but now I can´t remember anything really serious.” She takes life as it comes, day by day. She finds stressful permits, paperwork and bureaucracy - everything takes really long time and rarely there is any guideline to stick to. ”There are challenges every day, things doesn´t work out as in Finland. Some things go very well, other´s don´t…but there are no boring days at all.”
The best thing in everyday life is to see wildlife -giraffes, zebras, etc.- everyday along roadside. Living next to such an amazing nature, it’s easy to step out there, watch wildlife and just be surrounded by a complete silence. That if something gives you an instant peace of mind.
Eternal summer is also worth to mention, although sometimes nights are chilly as she lives in 2000 m.
If you ever travel to Naivasha, you should visit the hidden gem: Sanctuary Farm.
With just 5 € entry fee, you´ll get to see amazing wildlife and you are able to walk among them. Grab a coffee and pizza with you and enjoy a picnic of your lifetime!
In front of the mirror she reminds herself: ”I can do it” and “I did my best”. In everyday life Sari treats herself with a good cup of coffee. She also surrounds herself with beautiful things – African handcrafts, wildlife paintings, lush garden with plenty of greenery and flowers.
As a hotel-owner she´s too busy to have hobbies now but if she has time, she reads books and goes for horse riding. And needless to say, she loves to travel.
DREAMS & FEARS, PAST & FUTURE
What are your dreams?
“Staying healthy, travelling to as many African countries as possible.”
What is your worst fear?
“No active fears. Hoping not to get seriously ill so that I’m able to take care of myself.”
What is the most important advice you have received?
“Do things that make you happy.”
What has been the greatest global invention of your time?
“Internet.”
Where would you donate your time/money to?
“I’m continuously supporting children in Kenya. One orphanage in Gilgil, 30 km away from here, and local nursery and primary schools by helping fund raising school fees for almost 40 children.”
Has the position of girls/women changed during your lifetime?
“In some countries yes, in others, very little.”
If you could, what advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
“Trust yourself.”
Where will you be in 10 years?
“Doing same thing than now, maybe already having some time to relax and not running head over heels 24/7.”
What would you say to a woman of your age who lives across the world?
“Do things that make you happy. Don’t give up your dreams, it’s never too late.”
What about Christmas traditions?
Sari is not a Christmas, or any other public holiday, person. For her Christmas is maximum lightning few candles, putting some decorations and having a glass of red wine.
QUICK ONES
Drink: cappuccino
Favorite food: sushi
Delicacy: chocolate
Restaurant/Café: Sevruga in Cape Town (https://www.sevruga.co.za/)
Spice: fresh coriander
Feeling: succeeding in something difficult
Music: 80’s
Scent: rose
Travel destination: All African countries.
Book: Viidakkotohtori by Jari Vainio
Movie: Gorillas in the mist by Michael Apted
Favorite public holiday: I’m not fan of public holidays
Plant: avocado tree
Evening routine: patting dogs
Favorite piece of clothing: jeans
Animal: giraffe
Scenery: desert
Sport: hiking
Motto: Never give up