Lion cubs
“You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.”
~~ Isak Dinesen (aka Karen Blixen), “Out of Africa”
On the outskirts of Nairobi is Karen Blixen’s home, the author of “Out of Africa.”
She lived here from 1917 to 1931. Under pseudonym Isak Dinesen, she later wrote the autobiographical story of her adventures while living and farming in Kenya. Published in 1937, it was later made into an award-winning film.
Karen Blixen Museum, courtesy Wikipedia.
Now a museum, I visited the house on my way out to the African bush. It is modest, of bungalow architecture, with many verandas and surrounded by gardens.
Here Karen Blixen and her husband owned and managed a 4,500 acre farm, including a 600 acre coffee plantation. After they separated, she ran it on her own. More about Karen Blixen here.
Reticulated Giraffe, Kenya
The novel is a series of ongoing true stories about living in the African savanna; learning and adapting to the culture of tribes people; and the ups and downs of running the farm.
More about the book here.
Karen Blixen Museum, courtesy Museums.or.ke
Sparks of her remarkable character show through even a century later. A single white woman (Danish) running a plantation in Kenya, living among people of a completely different culture.
She embraced the local tribes people, encouraged them, set up a school for them and their children. Kenya was under British rule then, and this kind of harmonious spirit of cooperation was not the norm.
Giraffe and Zebra, Africa
A century later her farm is gone, and the house is no longer a lengthy horse ride into town. Instead it is in a suburb of sprawling Nairobi, named Karen, after her.
But as you drive out into the wilderness, finding grazing giraffe and stalking lions, you get an easy sense of her courage and spirit.
“When you have caught the rhythm of Africa” she wrote, “you find out that it is the same in all her music.”
Hippopotamus, Africa
Karen Blixen Museum, photo by Karl Ragnar Gjertsen, Wikipedia
Photo credit: Athena Alexander (unless otherwise noted)
Karen Blixen. Courtesy museums.or.k, Nat’l Museums of Kenya
Loved the book, the movie and your images of the now museum and wildlife Jet. The hippo looks at hough he has just popped up to say ‘Hello”. 🙂
Thanks so much, Sue – Glad you have experienced the greatness of Karen Blixen. That hippo photo is fun, isn’t it. Enjoy your weekend, my friend~~
Oooh, I loooove Karen Blixen!! I remember, I was just a little girl when I watched “out of Africa” with Meryl Streep. 😊😊. Later in my teens I read the book 😊
Hi Trini! I really like Karen Blixen too, and visiting her home enhanced it. She also wrote “Babette’s Feast” and it is one of my favorite films of all time. I think you would like it. Thanks so much for your visit today~~
I have seen it! It’s lovely! 💖🌸
Not too many people have seen BF, Trini — I’m so glad you have!
Yes, I think many Scandinavians have 😊😊
loved the movie but have not read the book.
oh thank you so much for this post, Jet! reminds me of wonderful trips and experiences in Nairobi when i was based in Khartoum, Sudan. 🙂 the giraffes are very elegant. 🙂
The movie doesn’t exactly follow the book, and the book is so much better; I hope you get a chance to read it sometime, Lola. So glad you enjoyed the post and had good reminders of your Nairobi experiences. Many thanks!
i look forward to reading the book! it’s now on my ‘to do’ list 🙂 thanks again!
🙂
Out of Africa…one of my all time favourite films…and Karen Blixen one of those women who I see as a role model to living a life well lived. As for the lions and other fabulous wildlife and scenery……another place on this earth that I hope to visit. Thank you Jet for another fabulous blog…Janet:)
Such a pleasure it is, Janet, to share the beauties of Africa and Karen Blixen with you. Thank you for your comment and visit, and have a wonderful weekend!
Very special people, firm, bold and adventurous. They are “doers” people. It’s to be admired. Thanks Jet, great post! 🙂
I’m happy you enjoyed the Out of Africa post today, HJ — and I always enjoy your visits and comments. Thank you!
Stunningness!
That’s a good word for Africa, Cindy — thanks for stopping by.
Wonderful story… life and culture in Africa. So heartwarming! Lovely post, Jet. 🙂
There’s always good stories when you take in the life and culture of Africa. Thanks very much, Iris, for your great comment today.
Thank you for the beautiful post, Jet! I watched the film, haven’t read the book. Now I really want to read it. 🙂
It’s a great book for giving the reader a good idea of life in Africa, I think you will enjoy it, Amy. Thanks for your visit, it’s always a pleasure to “see” you.
Loved the photographs today, particularly the lion cubs and the hippopotamus – beautiful (yes, the hippo too!)
I vaguely remember the movie and enjoying the scenery, but not much stuck with me. However, you have motivated me to get hold of the book – maybe even this weekend, as it is a holiday weekend here, and set to be wet and rainy…
Thanks, Jet!
I think Karen Blixen’s an excellent writer and does a good job of expressing the intricacies of culture and the beauties of Africa. Good book for a rainy weekend. Good thing you went on that awesome hike last weekend. Have a wonderful weekend, pc~~
It is a remarkable story. I really enjoyed the film (great music too), and now will have to read the book!
Hi Bertie! I preferred the book over the movie, and I think you will like it. Always great to visit with you, thanks so much for stopping by.
I loved the film and so admire her….I know the book is much better, so will have to read it! As always, Athena has done a wonderful job with the photos…love your blog!!!
What a wonderful and kind comment, Kirt. Thanks so much. The film was great, espec. for the scenery, and you’ll like her book too. I’m happy you enjoyed Athena’s photos and today’s post.
A film you never forget,it was breathtakingly shot on location and with most emotive aspects.I have not read the book,it must be equally compelling.Wonderful your photos,dear Jet,and all your references to the author.Thank you for bringing it out again,such works are timeless.Happy weekend,my friend 🙂 * ^ *
It was indeed an unforgettable film, and the book is really lovely too. You’re right, it is a timeless work. I am hoping you are enjoying a pleasant weekend, dear Doda, and am grateful, as always, for your wonderful visit here today. (‘]’)
Thank you so much dear Jet!I am behind again and feel so sorry … I’ll do my best not to miss your new posts.Till then;stay well and enjoy your weekend 🙂 xxxX 🙂
These posts stay up for years, dear Doda, so there’s no rush. Thanks for your kind message. I am having a lovely weekend, it is a long one, our Memorial Day holiday. I hope you are enjoying your weekend too. (*=*)
Yes,I know about Your long Memorial weekend and the Memorial Day holiday.Hope you enjoyed it and you are still enjoying it to the fullest,dear Jet 🙂 xxxX
😀
So, you’ve inspired me to read the book. How lovely it must have been to visit there. Looks like I’ll have to check out BF. It also sounds fascinating and gets closer to my roots and Eric’s, too.
I am a total foodie, so Babette’s Feast is one of those movies I have watched over and over and over. My love for Karen Blixen’s writings came after I watched the movie (BF), so I was thrilled when I learned she had written it. So glad you enjoyed today’s post, Gunta — thanks so very much. And have a fun weekend~~
Wonderful post, Jet! I have visited her house in Karen and the Ngong hills a few times, fascinating!
How wonderful that you have been here, Tiny; and so very fortunate to have seen the Ngong hills. Thanks so much for your comment and visit.
Enjoyed hearing about her! Didn’t realize she wrote BF, as well. Such diversity, talent, spirit. Thank you, once again.
Yes, Karen Blixen did have so much diversity, talent and spirit. I’m delighted you enjoyed the post, Nan — and so appreciate your visit.
Jet, I enjoyed learning more about Blixen and her writing of “Out of Africa.” The book and film are classics for good reason- such heart to it all!
I really appreciate your great comment, Christy, on Out of Africa. You’re right, they are classics for a good reason.
Thanks for this fascinating view and narrative about this remarkable woman. I’ve never read the book, and though I’d heard of the movie, I never saw that either. No you’ve inspired me to look up her writings.
Your wildlife enthusiasm will no doubt draw you into the creatures of Out of Africa, BJ — and Karen Blixen’s writing is an extra joy. Thanks for your comment.
Fascinating post, Jet, wow, Karen had such courage and obvious determination to give to the people of Kenya her love and spirit through her work and writing. What a journey she lived!
A remarkable journey. Thanks so much, Donna, for your wonderful comment and visit.
Quite an extraordinary woman.
Now that’s something fun to hear, thank you Lloyd, very kind. 🙂
This is beautiful, not visited Nairobi coz I am studying in Cairo, but I plan to do in the nearest future if dues permit. But I think you ll need visit Nigeria too, there are lots you ll see on the streets before the zoo. Villages to visit, you are going to see amazing things. Villages will make your day than the cities. Whenever you are going, just lemme know. Lol. A blog I must open everyday. U got my 20 stars.
Thanks very much, Ibraheem — Nigeria sounds beautiful. And hello to Africa too~~