I am just back from my Saturday morning in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city. I go there every week or so to withdraw cash and buy toiletries at the European style supermarket. I had figured out that the best place to sit for the 90 minute trip from Rwamagana was at the back of the minibus as otherwise you are up and down letting passengers on and off along the way. That was until this morning when a sack of live hens was placed under the back seat- the “bwock bwoking" and squirming has led me to re-think my tactics!
Walking down the confectionary aisle, green jerseys on the TV screen at the supermarket café caught my eye- low and behold it was Ireland beating the Aussies in the Rugby World Cup- it turns out an Irish guy had requested it to be shown! I must admit a pang of homesickness hit as I watched the game, I can only imagine the craic to be had in Dublin tonight.
Here is a quick catch up on some of the other things I’ve been up to:
Miss INATEK 2011- A beauty pageant at Eric’s university where the prize is free fees, transport and unlimited “airtime” (mobile phone credit) for a year. The girls had to strut their stuff in four different outfits and answer questions in either French or English. There were lots of filler songs (and two power cuts!) during costume changes including a performance of “Bella” (huge hit over here, it’s played everywhere, seriously catchy tune) by Kigali’s pop sensation Dream Boyz.
Here is a quick catch up on some of the other things I’ve been up to:
Miss INATEK 2011- A beauty pageant at Eric’s university where the prize is free fees, transport and unlimited “airtime” (mobile phone credit) for a year. The girls had to strut their stuff in four different outfits and answer questions in either French or English. There were lots of filler songs (and two power cuts!) during costume changes including a performance of “Bella” (huge hit over here, it’s played everywhere, seriously catchy tune) by Kigali’s pop sensation Dream Boyz.
· Wedding- I attended with Jean Marie (DIZA’s President) and his family. There are 3 parts- the first is where the groom offers a dowry of cows to the bride’s family. There were major negotiations as to the number of cows to be given and their quality had to be inspected before the deal was done (all ceremonial- the cows weren’t actually there!). We had a buffet lunch before the Church ceremony, complete with a very lively choir. Finally, the reception, where the newlyweds pretended to bake a cake for the guests (unlike the cows, the cake was actually there!). There were more songs from the choir and the evening ended with the guests queuing to present their gifts to the couple one by one. I wore a traditional Rwandese outfit:
I took a motorbike taxi to the first ceremony and am raging I didn't get a photo of this- the helmet really complemented my floaty attire!
·
Lake Muhazi - I visited here with Eric and his friend Patrick, it was beautiful. We went for drinks afterwards where I discovered that Patrick’s favourite drink is Guinness and we ate Irish potatoes with our brochettes – small world eh?!
· In the evenings after work Eric and I go for a walk on the roads just outside the town. I usually dine at the hotel restaurant and use their wireless to keep in touch with friends and family. Some of the parents from DIZA’s school have kindly invited me to play Scrabble with them too- they are very competitive / tactical in their play, I have a lot of improving to do!
A busy bee to say the least and loving every minute!
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