Been here, done that. I wondered how this would go. Each country is different and has its goods and bads but Rwanda is special due to its recent history with the 1994 Genocide but also its beauty as the "land of a thousand hills", gorillas (in the mist), and temperate climate. I usually like to end a journey in Rwanda as a nice treat on the way home. This trip starts in Rwanda!
Speaking of the Genocide of 1994, April 2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the terrible genocide of 1,000,000 Rwandans in just 100 days. A moving thought on its own.
It's incredible to note that Rwanda with its disastrous recent past has quite nicely rebounded and quite quickly. They are becoming more English as the French really disappointed them in 1994 (watch "Hotel Rwanda" or read one of the books on the 1994 Genocide, worthwhile to give some perspective). They are also now aligning themselves recently with East Africa. When I was here last year, I came at the time that Rwanda was hosting the East African Economic Conference. This includes countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania.
Rwanda is the only country for us NAC Missionaries that doesn't require us to get an entry visa. Although corruption still exists it is fairly safe and handouts are not as requested, expected or rampant.
A fairly easy way off the plane (raining "spitting" a little), on to a bus for a 10 second ride and then into the immigration line. That took all of 5 minutes. Then a 45-minute wait for luggage arriving on 2 carousals (the only 2). Eventually retrieved my two bags to now exit the terminal.
Nobody there!
My thoughts, "OK, don't panic! They're just late, I'm sure you have Anselme's (our NAC office manager) cell phone number." Got through to Anselme and he said that traffic was horrendeous and that they are just arriving at the airport. A short 2-3 minutes later I saw Anselme but he didn't see me. I called out, "Ne peux-tu pas voir le grand homme blanc?", loosely, "Can't you see the big white man?" We greeted one another as well as several choir leaders and brothers. Then the Apostle Minga himself. He lives in Gisenyi, about a 3-hour drive away through the mountains and on the border of Congo DR (twin city of Goma, where in recent times lots of problems). He still drives his Toyota Landrunner (?) that I thought would fall apart last time. Two seats in the front and two rows of benches in the back.
Took the 20-minute ride to downtown to my accommodation for the week, Hotel le Garni du Centre Kigali. Short form; le Garni. A very short distance from Hotel Mille Collines (famous as "Hotel Rwanda") and also Nakumatt, a 24-hour department/grocery store. Check-in uneventful and then towards the room I notice the breakfast area with an open-air fireplace (beautiful, I'll try to get a picture tomorrow (Thursday) night). Past the pool, OK, now you're thinking this is a vacation. Room on the 2nd floor at the end of the hallway. Fairly comfortable. Shower (no bath), proper toilet, no A/C (hope I don't need it), mosquito net over the bed with 1" hole in it on top, balcony, bar fridge, tv and two single beds. Wonderful thing about this hotel is wireless internet. Although it's slow, at least it's there. May not have it always and "blog" may not always be so flowing (be patient, please).
Prayed together with Apostle and then went shopping for some water (+ food) and a SIM card. The phone I have is "unlocked" so it's fairly easy and inexpensive to buy a SIM card in each country. More for incoming and SMS than anything else. It's a wonder that in most countries here in Africa it's cheaper for Mobile minutes than at home in Canada. Went to Nakumatt mall which is really maybe 200 metres away but up a really big hill. Did I mention that this is the land of a thousand hills. That includes downtown Kigali. Anselme went to exchange some money and I looked around. Got some hairgel (forgot mine at home, not the best place to buy it), water, bread, and SAUSAGE! Yes, sausage, they have a German butchery right in Nakumatt. Bought several types and then a loaf of bread because you never know when you're going to need it. In the meantime, Anselme got $ and we bought the SIM card as well (MTN + 5000 RFR ~ $10 of airtime). Most cell networks are prepaid services.
Back to hotel and then tried to sleep. Had a sausage (spicy hot!!!) before going to bed. Also unpacked a little and tried to be prepared for work tomorrow (Wednesday). Also SKYPed home and talked to Lisa.
Speaking of the Genocide of 1994, April 2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the terrible genocide of 1,000,000 Rwandans in just 100 days. A moving thought on its own.
It's incredible to note that Rwanda with its disastrous recent past has quite nicely rebounded and quite quickly. They are becoming more English as the French really disappointed them in 1994 (watch "Hotel Rwanda" or read one of the books on the 1994 Genocide, worthwhile to give some perspective). They are also now aligning themselves recently with East Africa. When I was here last year, I came at the time that Rwanda was hosting the East African Economic Conference. This includes countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania.
Rwanda is the only country for us NAC Missionaries that doesn't require us to get an entry visa. Although corruption still exists it is fairly safe and handouts are not as requested, expected or rampant.
A fairly easy way off the plane (raining "spitting" a little), on to a bus for a 10 second ride and then into the immigration line. That took all of 5 minutes. Then a 45-minute wait for luggage arriving on 2 carousals (the only 2). Eventually retrieved my two bags to now exit the terminal.
Nobody there!
My thoughts, "OK, don't panic! They're just late, I'm sure you have Anselme's (our NAC office manager) cell phone number." Got through to Anselme and he said that traffic was horrendeous and that they are just arriving at the airport. A short 2-3 minutes later I saw Anselme but he didn't see me. I called out, "Ne peux-tu pas voir le grand homme blanc?", loosely, "Can't you see the big white man?" We greeted one another as well as several choir leaders and brothers. Then the Apostle Minga himself. He lives in Gisenyi, about a 3-hour drive away through the mountains and on the border of Congo DR (twin city of Goma, where in recent times lots of problems). He still drives his Toyota Landrunner (?) that I thought would fall apart last time. Two seats in the front and two rows of benches in the back.
Took the 20-minute ride to downtown to my accommodation for the week, Hotel le Garni du Centre Kigali. Short form; le Garni. A very short distance from Hotel Mille Collines (famous as "Hotel Rwanda") and also Nakumatt, a 24-hour department/grocery store. Check-in uneventful and then towards the room I notice the breakfast area with an open-air fireplace (beautiful, I'll try to get a picture tomorrow (Thursday) night). Past the pool, OK, now you're thinking this is a vacation. Room on the 2nd floor at the end of the hallway. Fairly comfortable. Shower (no bath), proper toilet, no A/C (hope I don't need it), mosquito net over the bed with 1" hole in it on top, balcony, bar fridge, tv and two single beds. Wonderful thing about this hotel is wireless internet. Although it's slow, at least it's there. May not have it always and "blog" may not always be so flowing (be patient, please).Prayed together with Apostle and then went shopping for some water (+ food) and a SIM card. The phone I have is "unlocked" so it's fairly easy and inexpensive to buy a SIM card in each country. More for incoming and SMS than anything else. It's a wonder that in most countries here in Africa it's cheaper for Mobile minutes than at home in Canada. Went to Nakumatt mall which is really maybe 200 metres away but up a really big hill. Did I mention that this is the land of a thousand hills. That includes downtown Kigali. Anselme went to exchange some money and I looked around. Got some hairgel (forgot mine at home, not the best place to buy it), water, bread, and SAUSAGE! Yes, sausage, they have a German butchery right in Nakumatt. Bought several types and then a loaf of bread because you never know when you're going to need it. In the meantime, Anselme got $ and we bought the SIM card as well (MTN + 5000 RFR ~ $10 of airtime). Most cell networks are prepaid services.
Back to hotel and then tried to sleep. Had a sausage (spicy hot!!!) before going to bed. Also unpacked a little and tried to be prepared for work tomorrow (Wednesday). Also SKYPed home and talked to Lisa.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDistrict Elder! What a wonderful way to commemorate your trip. Thank you for including me in the blog watch! Besides the obvious NAC stuff, would love to hear your impressions of the people, culture and politics of the areas you will visit...throw me a bone! Stay safe, stay out of trouble and be assured of my prayers. Chantell PS - 17 days `til Cuba ;-)
ReplyDelete