The first day in Butare

My first full day in Rwanda has been interesting.  It really does not seem as large as I expected. I am finding few tourists compared to other places I have been.  It is definitely more expensive than Nepal, so I will have to be careful of my budget. 

I feel really safe in Rwanda because the people are so friendly. That should make all my family and friends feel better.  I was walking to town in Kigali and a young schoolgirl came up and gave me a big hug.  I feel they are genuinely kind hearted. 

I arrived in Butare.  It is a very small town with only a few restaurants and a museum to visit. Since there are few tourists, I seem to get a lot of attention.  I haven’t met Laura yet.  She is the person who has been volunteering for the last couple months.  I will be taking over her job for the Blue Marble Ice Cream NGO.

I hope I can keep busy with the Ice Cream Store and teaching English for four weeks.  Not a lot to do in Butare.  The Internet seems sporadic so no catching up with my TV programs in the evening.  If I get bored, I may go to the University and see if I can volunteer.  It is a business school, so there may be an opportunity to do some teaching.

I had a little issue with my hotel.  My original room at the hotel was really not something I could live in for even one nigh and the next size room was way out of my budget.  I started walking to every hotel in town to negotiate a monthly rate (there are only a few hotels).  Not sure they ever had someone do that before!!  

Finally found a nice hotel with a 38% discount.  It is still beyond my means at $22 per night, but I can feel comfortable in a clean room.  The owner, Michael, is originally from Belgium, so he speaks English.

I am sitting and having a couple beers before I head for bed.  They are better than a sleeping pill.  I hope I will be sleeping soundly in the next couple of hours.

Have a great evening.  Paula