Life in Butare

It was a long night… my cheaper room has turned out to be the busiest area in the hotel complex.  The restaurant is across from my room and open until 11pm and all the Rwanda people start work at 6am.  Not much time to get peaceful sleep.

I tried buying earplugs today, but could not find them.  I am going to try the “white noise” app on my iPhone to see if I can get some sleep tonight.

It was great fun this morning.  We went to the assistant manager’s home for tea and lunch.  It was a 45-minute walk from the center of town.  Butare is very hilly, so we did get some good exercise. 

The family was so nice.  It was a really good introduction to life in Rwanda.  After lunch and our walk back, we went to work at the ice cream store.  We have a lot to cover before Laura leaves on Wednesday. 

I am trying to figure out how to take a few days to see the countryside of Rwanda.  I have decided to not go to the gorillas because it would cost around $1000 by the time I am done.  It just is not that important to me.  I would rather take the money and go on another vacation. I am trying to convince Eric on Papua New Guinea. 

It has rained every day since I arrived.  Rainy season does not start until Mid March.  I think I am going to be in for a very wet three weeks.  I hope that I do get to take some trips without getting soaked.  I am prepared with a raincoat and umbrella.

Laura and I went to dinner and met a group of Medical students interning at the University.  There are so many young people either working or going to school here; very few ex-pats my age.  Once Laura leaves it will probably be pretty lonely.  I have to work each evening until late, so it will not be too bad.

Have a great night… Paula