Last Day in Rwanda

Today was the day to purchase all my gifts from Rwanda.  I had to wait until noon to start out because it was Umuganda until 11am and everything was closed.  I enjoyed the view from the balcony of Step Town Motel and had a leisurely breakfast.

It took some walking to get to the arts and crafts center.  Once I was there, everyone wanted me to go into his or her shop.  I only could buy a certain amount, since I do not have any room in my suitcase.  Everything will have to be carried.

Well, I stopped when I finally ran out of Rwanda Francs… now I have to figure out how to get everything home.  Not only did I buy a lot of colorful aprons and baskets, I also bought three cow dung pictures.  Yes, that is correct.  I purchased art made out of cow dung.  It actually still smells, which is how you know it is original.  I really have a shopping problem and should get some psychological help.

I decided to go and have a drink at the Hotel Rwanda… I was going to eat there also, but the drink was double the price of every other restaurant.  I guess they are taking advantage of their notoriety.   I decided on just one beer and went to an Indian Restaurant for lunch.  It was fabulous.  It was the best Indian I have had.  I stuffed myself because the portions were so large.

Now that shopping and eating are out of the way… what do I do until 2:45am tomorrow?  I don’t know why I would have made reservations for a flight at such an ungodly hour, but I did.  Probably saved a couple dollars.  Also, did not realize I was traveling on Easter. 

I will miss the people of Rwanda.  They are so nice and always wanting to shake your hand and offer assistance.  It makes it easy to journey through a city and be able to get help when I get lost.   I will miss seeing the beautiful babies on the women’s backs.  So many babies……

Only one issue I have is how they feel they own the road or sidewalk.  I started making some really obnoxious comments, but they do not know what I am saying.  It is better that way. 

I am anxious to see my family and get back to the states; although I am only in Pennsylvania for a couple of days before I take off for St. Thomas.  It is a hard life, but someone has to do it.

I will be on the plane or in an airport for over 35 hours, so won’t be sending a blog for a couple days. 

See you soon, Paula

The Gorillas

Where to begin?  It has been a very eventful four days; memories that will last forever; some fantastic and many very comical.

It started with the journey to the Northern part of Rwanda.  I am not sure how I always choose the packed buses, but at least the driver went at a reasonable speed.  I joined two women I met in Butare in Kigali.  They were going to see the Gorillas on the same day, so we joined together.  It was really nice traveling with people. 

We made it by regular bus to Mustanza, where we had to take one of the local mini vans.  Now imagine a mini-van with 20 people in it.  They put us in the very back row, four across.  I just kept breathing to keep from getting claustrophobia.

Three buses later, we finally made it to a little village outside of the National Park.  The people at the hotel were so nice, but definitely had in issue with English.  The manager made a little fire for us in the lobby because it was so cold.  We were only paying about $15 per night; I guess you couldn’t expect hot water too.

We got up early to do a hike to Dian Fossey’s gravesite.  It had rained the night before, but was clear in the morning.  It was around a 5-hour hike, but we were confident we could do it in less time.  Obviously, we did not understand, when they said it could be muddy.

In the beginning we tried to walk around all the mud… impossible….  In the end we were walking almost knee high in the mud.  There was as much mud in my shoes as out.  It was actually safer to walk in the muddy water than try and walk on the wet clay dirt outside, where it was very slippery.  One time Rosa, one of the German ladies, had her foot caught in the mud and it took two people to pull her out.    

Then the rain came.!!  Many times I was on my butt in the mud.  Our porter, Bosco, was my savior; He kept trying to hold me up.  I almost made him fall more than once.  It was a very long 5 hours.  You just had to go with it in the end… I gave Bosco a very big tip.

When we got back to the hotel, the people took all our clothes and shoes and tried to clean them best they could.  There was no way they would dry by morning, given the dampness in the air.  They even tried to iron our hiking pants to dry them.

Next morning we were back for our Gorilla trek.  We wanted to be in the Sousa group, the largest group, so we got there early.  The Sousa group would mean another long hike, but I was with two twenty something girls from Germany.  They were ready for the hike… but was I???  I definitely was on Aleve after tweaking my knee the day before.  

We had a two-hour uphill hike through all the agriculture and we finally arrived at the beautiful rainforest.  It was breathtaking.  We were weaving through bush; sometimes almost crawling.  We were taking a shortcut to where they had spotted the Gorillas. 

We arrived!!

One of the babies

The #1 Gorilla and his family

I can’t even begin to tell you how exciting to be just a couple feet away from these amazing … and very big… gorillas.  They didn’t seem to mind that we were there.  There were so many babies… including twins.  It was an experience I will never forget. 

Just as we arrived, one of the Gorillas starting walking toward me and went right past me, almost touching.  My guide told me to step back… I did just in time.

The drive to both of the treks was long and very bumpy.  We had to go through many villages with so many children.  The children were showing us their report card.  It was their last day of school before Easter break. 

The kids would run after our car for more than a mile… these were 5 to 10 year olds running.  We kept on thinking about the long journey they would have to make to get back to their homes.  They seemed so happy and excited to see us.  Not sure I understand, since there are groups every day heading up to see the gorillas. 

Most of these kids were so dirty.  They live in mud huts and are in the dirt and mud all day long.  You just wanted to take them and put them in hot baths.  As we moved farther up the hill, you could see more and more poverty.  The little girls 5 and up were carrying the babies on their back.    Most families have over 5 kids, so the older ones have to take care of the younger kids.  Other kids were helping carry the heavy loads of potatoes to the market.  It was the only sad part of the two-day adventure!!!

A Family for the Chickens

I finally arrived back in Kigali to spend the day with the Faith Victory NGO to see how the chickens we donated were doing.  I was able to meet 5 families that received the chickens.  All the families consisted of a widow or abandoned woman trying to support a house full of kids; sometimes the kids were not even their kids.  The women were very excited and had high hopes that they can increase the number of chickens from 3 to over 10.  They showed me the eggs that would hatch in 21 days.

The women can receive 150 rwf for each egg, enough to buy salt, soap, etc.  These are basic needs and without the chickens they would not be able to purchase what is necessary to survive.  There are so many that need this help, but only so many chickens to pass around. 

Tomorrow is my last day in Rwanda!!  I am actually ready to go home.  Traveling out of a suitcase and having to use a net to sleep at night because of mosquitos is getting old.  I am glad it was a shorter trip this year.

As usual, I am not sure how I got all the stuff in my suitcase.  I haven’t even purchased much as gifts yet… that is on tomorrow’s agenda. 

I know this was a long blog and I really only captured a small portion of the last few days. 

Have a great evening, Paula

On the Road Again

I am leaving Butare tomorrow afternoon.  I accomplished everything I could during my stay.  Butare is beautiful, but a very small town.  Not much going on in Butare.  I watched the last of my movies tonight and did a final dye job on my hair.  I am ready!!

Also, a large group of young US nurses arrived and are staying at my motel.  The noise is terrible, both night and day (6am)!!  I am out of here!!!

We have a staff meeting in the morning and I hop on a bus for Kigali.  I dread the bus ride, but it is the only way to get around Rwanda, other than by car.  I never looked at what it would cost to rent a car.  Given my hatred for buses, I am surprised I didn’t.

I will be with a couple of the university exchange students from Germany.  It will be fun to travel with someone for a change.  I definitely had a lot of alone time this month.  We hope to get a couple hikes in, including the gorilla trek in the northern forests of Rwanda.

John, the guy from my hotel in Kigali, is picking up my big suitcase at the Kigali bus station, where I switch buses.  I only need a backpack for the three days.  I am not sure how cold or rainy it will be, but I am sure I will survive with the basics.

I made my last batch of carrot cupcakes, but they didn’t turn out very well.  I had to reduce the price to 300rwf per cupcake, which is not even 50cents.  I gave Louise my feedback on the staff and some of my observations.  I hope they follow up.

Walking home tonight, I realize that this may be my last time in Butare.  

NOTE: I may not have my computer with me to do a blog every day, while visiting the Gorillas; so if you do not see anything for a few days, stay tuned!

Have a great day, Paula

Palm Sunday

It is Palm Sunday.  I didn’t realize this until I saw everyone with palms.  The majority of Rwandans are Catholic, so you could hear singing all through Butare this morning.  It was very peaceful.  Although the store was very quiet in the morning, because everyone was at church, it picked up in the afternoon.

I started the morning with a hike in the Eucalyptus forest again.  I really want to get ready for my gorilla trek.  I would hate to be exhausted just getting to the gorillas.  Sometimes it is a 4 hour hike.  It is definitely the rainy season.  I am hoping for a sunny day on the hike.

We continue to have good days at the store with sales increasing.  I think Inzozi Nziza hit the tipping point and now many people come to Butare just for the ice cream.  I am trying to get all the last minute tasks completed at work.   I really want them to be successful.

I bought Rwandan coffee to take home, but there really isn’t much else to buy in Butare.  Thanks goodness, because I have little room in this suitcase.  As usual, I packed too much. 

I hope to get some souvenir baskets in Kigali or up north.  I will just have to carry them.  Unfortunately, I have not seen any really great jewelry, my usual take home.  After my other trips, I really don’t have much room in the house for more knickknacks.  Oh wait… I now have Bozeman to fill.  What a relief.

Have a great evening, Paula

Palm Sunday

It is Palm Sunday.  I didn’t realize this until I saw everyone with palms.  The majority of Rwandans are Catholic, so you could hear singing all through Butare this morning.  It was very peaceful.  Although the store was very quiet in the morning, because everyone was at church, it picked up in the afternoon.

I started the morning with a hike in the Eucalyptus forest again.  I really want to get ready for my gorilla trek.  I would hate to be exhausted just getting to the gorillas.  Sometimes it is a 4 hour hike.  It is definitely the rainy season.  I am hoping for a sunny day on the hike.

We continue to have good days at the store with sales increasing.  I think Inzozi Nziza hit the tipping point and now many people come to Butare just for the ice cream.  I am trying to get all the last minute tasks complete at work.   I really want them to be successful.

I bought Rwandan coffee to take home, but there really isn’t much else to buy in Butare.  Thanks goodness, because I have little room in this suitcase.  As usual, I packed too much. 

I hope to get some souvenir baskets in Kigali or up north.  I will just have to carry them.  Unfortunately, I have not seen any really great jewelry, my usual take home.  After my other trips, I really don’t have much room in the house for more knickknacks.  Oh wait… I now have Bozeman to fill.  What a relief.

Have a great evening, Paula